Central pollution controlling board submitted before the High Court that it issued showcause notices to State Pollution Control Boards, construction agencies, municipal bodies and traffic police & transport department of Delhi & NCR.
In its submission it said that steps like putting restriction on the use of pet-coke & furnace oil in industry & directions for the conversion of brick kilns to zig-zag technology have been taken that may impact positively on the surrounding air quality.
Air quality index (AQI) in the NCR is noted to be poor, where the government agencies have informed about the fresh westerly winds coming up.
The division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel & Justice Prateek Jalan, after considering the submission, which directed authorities to take immediate action to prevent burning of stubble in Punjab and Haryana in view of rising pollution, where the court disposed the same. The bench also took note that a Committee was already created in this matter headed by Apex Court (retired) Judge Madan B Lokur and the apex court is hearing the matter too.
Delhi HC also granted the petitioner liberty to approach the Court again if needed again.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma appeared before HC for central authorities and submitted that the petition moved in a continued 2015 matter related to air pollution, and said that the high level of pollution caused due to stubble burning also affects the respiratory functions in human beings which makes their immune system weaker. He added that the burning has already begun in the parts of states of Haryana & Punjab which is indicating huge rise of 6% in incidents of burning. The application shows that there are finding which shows direct connection of increased pollution which is ascending the current situation and is making it even worse.
