NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court expressed despair over the lack of implementation of measures to curb air pollution and traffic congestion in the national capital on January 19, 2019. It said that it is better not to be in Delhi which has turned into a “gas chamber”.
A bench of justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta pointed out that these problems affect the right to life. Justice Arun Mishra while hearing a matter related to air pollution in the National Capital Region said that in the morning and evening, there is so much pollution and traffic congestion. It is better not to be in Delhi and it is difficult to live here.
Advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court as amicus curiae, told the bench that Delhi has become a “gas chamber” because of pollution. Justice Gupta agreed that Delhi is like gas chamber. Singh told the court that authorities always say that they take measures to curb pollution which is different from reality.
The bench said, “What are the things which are required to be done in actuality? What remains to be done as per the comprehensive action plan? What is required to keep in check environment pollution in Delhi? What more can be done?”
It said that many polluting vehicles enter national capital at night. It enquired authorities how they were allowing these to enter Delhi. The court asked Delhi police regarding the action taken to remove unclaimed vehicles that are no longer required in legal cases from police stations. It also enquired the Delhi government why they have not appointed district ‘nazir’ (record keeper of record room).
The Delhi government’s counsel told the apex court that they are yet to receive a reply from Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for allotment of land to build malkhana (record room). The bench replied, “If you can dispose of the junk vehicles, you will get several acres of land.” The next hearing on the matter is scheduled at February 1.