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Supreme Court Rebukes CAQM, Sets Two-Week Deadline for Public Report on Delhi-NCR Pollution Sources

The bench put the case under fortnightly review following its refusal to grant two months on toll-plaza decisions.

Overview

  • CAQM was ordered to convene shortlisted domain experts within two weeks and publish a source-apportionment report identifying major pollution drivers.
  • The court rejected a two-month adjournment sought on toll plaza and ECC issues and directed that the toll question be reconsidered without influence from revenue claims.
  • Judges cited wide disparities in existing studies, noting transport’s contribution estimates ranging from 12% to 41%, and called for a unified, evidence-based assessment.
  • CAQM must simultaneously plan phased, long-term remedies prioritising the highest contributors, with the court to review progress at regular fortnightly hearings, including on January 21.
  • Delhi’s average AQI stood in the ‘poor’ category at about 293 on the morning of the hearing, underscoring the urgency of action.