SC calls for urgent Centre & State govt action into pollution crisis

Update at 3:25 PM

Justice Mishra asks Delhi govt, "What are you achieving from Odd-Even scheme?", to which the state's counsel has replied, "Diesel consumption is less and there is less pollution in Delhi. People will share vehicles". Apart from pulling up the Kejriwal government, the apex court has stated to Haryana and Punjab governments that Gram pradhans, local officials, police who do not control burning should be removed from their posts. Justice Mishra also observed that the condition in Delhi is 'worse than an emergency now'.

Taking up the issue of pollution in the capital and other parts of North India, the Supreme Court, on Monday has called for urgent action to deal with the crisis from the Delhi government and the Centre. The apex court noted that Delhi was experiencing a similar choking situation for 10-15 days every year. It also slammed both the state and the Centre on inaction with respect to pollution saying that they were only passing the buck to each other.

Supreme Court demands state and Centre action

The Supreme Court noted that 'people could not survive in the city if the pollution crisis is not solved'. Addressing the counsels of Punjab and Haryana, Justice Arun Mishra said, "Right to life is the most important right. 'We want to burn our crop and let others die' - we can't live like this."

After consulting with the experts and ministry officials, the Supreme Court is scheduled to pass detailed orders shortly. The apex court has called upon an expert from IIT Delhi and the ministry to suggest measures. The bench called the pollution in Delhi-NCR as atrocious and said no one is safe even inside homes.

WATCH | BJP's Vijay Goel deliberately flouts Odd-Even rule, gets fined Rs 4000

Delhi emergency declared

Earlier on Friday, a Supreme Court-mandated panel declared a public health emergency in the Delhi-NCR region and banned construction activity till November 5. As pollution level in the region entered the "severe-plus" category, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority also banned the bursting of crackers during the winter season. The air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorated further Thursday night to the severe-plus level, triggering an Emergency.

READ | Delhi police issues first challan minutes after Odd-Even rule kicks in

Odd-Even Scheme kicks in

Meanwhile, the Delhi government's odd-even scheme came into implementation on Monday. Under the scheme, apart from exempted categories, only those non-transport four-wheeled vehicles will ply on the roads which have registration numbers ending with an even digit. Violations of the odd-even rule will invite a fine of Rs 4,000  Under the scheme, which is now implemented and will be in place till 8 pm, non-transport four-wheeled vehicles with registration numbers ending with an odd digit (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) will not be allowed on the roads on November 4, 6, 8, 12 and 14. Similarly, vehicles with registration numbers ending with an even digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) will not be allowed on the roads on November 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15.

Odd-Even kicks in: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urges people to follow it

WATCH | CM Arvind Kejriwal: 'People of Delhi happily accepted Odd-Even'