The Supreme Court on Friday, November 6, raised serious concerns over Delhi-NCR’s worsening air pollution, with Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant questioning the region’s dependence on stubble burning as an explanation for the crisis. Opening the hearing with the remark, “I hope you all are enjoying the weather in Delhi,” the CJI-led three-judge bench highlighted vehicular emissions and bumper-to-bumper traffic as major contributors.
Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 391, with 30 of its 59 monitoring stations recording ‘severe’ pollution. Senior advocate Aparajita Singh warned that breathing the region’s air was comparable to smoking 30 cigarettes a day. The court called for immediate, medium-term and long-term measures to address the crisis.
Vehicular Emissions Under Supreme Court Scrutiny
The hearing was conducted by a three-judge bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, which is examining air pollution in Delhi-NCR through a suo motu case. The proceedings began with the CJI’s pointed observation about the deteriorating air quality, underlining the seriousness of a crisis that has become an annual concern for residents.
During the hearing, the bench questioned whether the continued focus on stubble burning was diverting attention from other significant sources of pollution. Highlighting the volume of traffic on roads connecting Delhi with neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR) cities, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida, the CJI observed that bumper-to-bumper vehicles were a major concern.
Senior advocate and amicus curiae Aparajita Singh told the court that pollution levels were hovering close to the ‘severe’ category and were affecting people’s health. “We are losing our voice as well. It’s like smoking 30 cigarettes a day!” she said. She also pointed out that stubble burning contributed approximately 14% to Delhi’s pollution on November 5, indicating that the city was already dealing with substantial pollution from local sources before farm fires added to the burden.
AQI Nears 400 As 30 Monitoring Stations Record
The pollution figures underline the urgency of the situation. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi’s overall AQI reached 391 at 9 am on Friday, November 6, placing it close to the ‘severe’ category threshold of 401. Of the capital’s 59 air quality monitoring stations, 30 recorded severe pollution, while the remaining stations reported ‘very poor’ air quality. Rohini registered the highest AQI at 475, followed by IIT Delhi at 472. Punjabi Bagh recorded 465, while Jahangirpuri registered 458. The figures reflect how pollution has spread across several parts of the city rather than remaining confined to a few neighbourhoods.
The crisis has also raised concerns about the long-term health consequences of prolonged exposure to polluted air. Fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Singh’s comparison of the region’s air to smoking 30 cigarettes a day brought the human cost of the crisis into sharp focus. For children, older people, outdoor workers and those with existing respiratory conditions, prolonged exposure can be particularly harmful.
Centre Outlines Measures; Court Seeks Long-Term Solutions
Responding to the concerns raised by the bench, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, informed the court that measures were already in place to address stubble burning and vehicular emissions. She said the government had submitted a note outlining region-specific interventions. These included restricting the entry of vehicles that do not meet Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards, phasing out diesel-operated rickshaws and regulating buses entering Delhi from other cities.
Bhati also referred to the geotagging of pollution-under-control certificates and restrictions on fuel supply to vehicles without valid certificates. She said the government was considering further steps to strengthen public transport. However, Singh pointed out that an earlier Supreme Court direction to prevent vehicles from idling at toll plazas was not being implemented effectively. Vehicles entering Delhi from neighbouring NCR areas were allegedly being stopped at city borders while their engines continued running, adding to emissions.
The Centre also cited Delhi’s geographical location and unfavourable winter conditions, which restrict the dispersal of pollutants, while referring to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Bhati maintained that she would not describe the existing measures as a complete failure. The bench, however, stressed that the AQI was already approaching 400 and sought details of immediate, medium-term and long-term action plans from the concerned authorities. The court also called for advance declaration of crop-stubble procurement prices to give farmers an economic incentive to avoid burning agricultural residue and suggested involving gram panchayats in its collection and management.
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of GRAP across the NCR on Friday as a precautionary measure following the deterioration in air quality. The hearing also addressed a plea seeking the closure of physical classes for schoolchildren during periods of high pollution, with the bench indicating that it would consider expert opinion before taking a decision. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on November 16.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Delhi-NCR’s recurring air pollution crisis is a reminder that clean air is not a privilege but a basic necessity that every citizen deserves. While stubble burning requires meaningful engagement with farmers, addressing the crisis also demands accountability from urban authorities, industries, transport agencies and citizens. Blaming one community or one source of pollution will not solve a problem that has multiple contributing factors. Farmers need affordable alternatives to crop-residue burning, commuters need reliable public transport, and governments must ensure that pollution-control measures are implemented consistently rather than introduced only when air quality deteriorates.
The Supreme Court’s observations underline the need to move beyond temporary restrictions towards long-term, science-backed solutions. Protecting the environment must become a shared responsibility, rooted in empathy, cooperation and public accountability. How can governments, farmers and citizens work together to ensure that breathing clean air is no longer a seasonal struggle for Delhi-NCR residents?
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