Delhi Pollution: NGT Demands Comprehensive Air Quality Plan

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the authorities concerned to disclose a comprehensive prevention plan aimed at maintaining acceptable air quality levels in Delhi.
In addition to the air quality management plan for the entire National Capital Region (NCR), the tribunal has also sought a “comprehensive study” on the contributory factors leading to air pollution.

The NGT was hearing a case in which it had taken suo-motu (on its own) cognizance of a media report highlighting the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and the NCR.

Previously, it had directed concerned entities such as the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for NCR and Adjoining Areas to implement stringent measures for enhancing the Air Quality Index (AQI).

A panel comprising of NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with judicial members Justices Sudhir Agarwal and Arun Kumar Tyagi, and expert member A Senthil Vel, observed that the AQI, spanning from November 19 to 28, consistently indicated “very poor” air quality across the NCR, reaching “severe” levels on November 24.

Emphasizing the need for a proactive approach, the bench articulated that authorities must disclose a comprehensive prevention plan to uphold Delhi’s air quality at an acceptable level. The plan discussed with the tribunal focused on invoking GRAP-1 to GRAP-4, corresponding to measures triggered at “poor,” “very poor,” and “severe” AQI categories.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR, implemented by the Centre, categorizes actions into four stages: Stage 1 – Poor (AQI 201-300), Stage 2 – Very Poor (AQI 301-400), Stage 3 – Severe (AQI 401-450), and Stage 4 – Severe Plus (AQI above 450). The AQI scale ranges from “good” (0-50) to “severe plus” (above 450).

The bench stressed the necessity for concerted efforts by authorities to prevent the air quality from even reaching the “poor” level, suggesting that GRAP-1 may not need activation. Furthermore, it advocated for a “comprehensive apportionment study” to identify factors contributing to the decline in air quality.

Acknowledging the interdependence of air quality in Delhi and neighboring areas, the NGT insisted on the disclosure of a comprehensive plan for air quality management for the entire NCR. The green panel considered the submissions from the CAQM’s counsel, assuring that the comprehensive plan for NCR’s air quality management would be submitted within a week.

Granting a one-week period for the counsel representing various authorities to present the source-apportionment study and the comprehensive plan for NCR’s air quality management, the NGT directed them to take all possible measures to improve Delhi’s air quality.

The matter is scheduled for further proceedings on December 6, 2023.