Overview
- Ordering status reports from both states, the bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai set the next hearing for November 17 in the ongoing air-pollution matter.
- Delhi recorded a second straight day of ‘Severe’ air, with a 24-hour average AQI around 418 on Wednesday after hitting 428 on Tuesday, according to CPCB data.
- The IITM Decision Support System estimated stubble burning contributed a season-high 22.47% to Delhi’s PM2.5 on Wednesday, surpassing transport’s 15.59% share.
- CAQM has already invoked GRAP Stage III, including a halt on non-essential construction and curbs on certain vehicles, while petitioners urged the court to push for Stage IV.
- An amicus cited a NASA scientist’s analysis alleging burns are timed to evade satellite detection, and the court will examine these claims as NRSC-led ground verification and standardized burnt-area mapping expand.