SC seeks response from Delhi, adjoining states on steps taken for deteriorating AQI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday took note of the deteriorating air quality conditions in the national capital, noting that its impact on the future generation is going to be huge.

The three-judge bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and PK Mishra asked five states (Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan) to put on record what steps have been taken to control air pollution.

The bench has put the matter for hearing next on November 7.

The three-judge bench also recognised crop burning as a major contributor to the declining air quality in Delhi. The air quality is deteriorating year after year.

The bench said that a few decades ago, this used to be the best time in Delhi, but now it is difficult to step out of it.

The bench has also directed the Chief Secretaries of the states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi to file affidavits detailing the actions taken to address crop burning.

Delhi-NCR has been reeling under 'poor' to'very poor' conditions. The air quality in the nation's capital remains 'very poor' for the fourth straight day, forcing the citizens to breathe polluted air.

A petition was moved in the top court seeking intervention to direct states regarding steps taken to check the air pollution through various means, including the installation of smog towers and plantation drives.