The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated suo motu proceedings based on two alarming studies linking air pollution to approximately 33,000 annual deaths in major Indian cities and high levels of heavy metal pollutants in certain regions. The NGT has issued notices to key authorities, demanding action to address these environmental concerns.
New Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated suo motu proceedings in response to two alarming studies highlighting the deteriorating air quality in India. The tribunal, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Judicial Member Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, and Expert Member Dr. A Senthil Vel, found that both studies present serious concerns regarding compliance with environmental norms and the urgent need for action.
Two significant orders have been passed by the NGT based on the findings of these studies, which point to substantial threats to public health across the country.
Study Links Air Pollution to 33,000 Deaths in Major Indian Cities
One of the studies that prompted the tribunal’s action was published by Lancet Planetary Health and reported in The Indian Express. The report made a shocking revelation—approximately 33,000 deaths annually in 10 major Indian cities are linked to air pollution.
The cities identified in the study include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi. Major contributors to the declining air quality include vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and construction dust.
The study particularly highlights the risks faced by vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, who are more susceptible to the harmful effects of PM2.5 pollutants (fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less). The report also raises a disturbing concern: air pollution could have a detrimental effect on fertility rates by causing hormonal disruptions.
In light of these findings, the tribunal has issued notices to key government bodies, including:
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
- The State Pollution Control Boards of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Telangana, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh
The case is set for hearing on October 23 as the tribunal seeks to address the grave concerns raised by the report.
Heavy Metal Pollution in East Delhi, Ludhiana, and Panchkula
In a separate case, the NGT took suo motu cognizance of another troubling report published in the Times of India, which references a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. This study revealed dangerously high levels of heavy metal pollutants in East Delhi, Ludhiana, and Panchkula.
The presence of these heavy metals in PM2.5 particles poses severe health risks, especially to vulnerable populations. The health implications of long-term exposure to such pollutants include respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and other serious health complications.
Given the serious nature of these findings, the tribunal has issued notices to:
- The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)
- The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)
- The CPCB
- The MoEFCC
- The District Magistrates of the concerned areas
This case has been scheduled for further hearing on February 6, 2025, allowing the tribunal time to gather responses from the involved authorities and take necessary actions to curb the high levels of pollution.
NGT’s Call to Action
The NGT’s suo motu actions reflect a growing concern over the worsening air quality and the public health risks associated with it. The two reports present a sobering picture of how unchecked industrial growth, urbanization, and lack of proper regulation have led to hazardous environmental conditions, affecting millions of lives in India’s major cities.
Both cases underscore the urgent need for stronger regulatory measures and prompt action by government bodies to improve air quality and safeguard public health. As the tribunal moves forward, the outcomes of these proceedings will be closely watched, with expectations for concrete steps to mitigate the looming air pollution crisis.
The NGT’s intervention in these cases signals a critical turning point in addressing the health impact of air pollution in India, and the measures taken by the court could serve as a roadmap for future environmental governance in the country.
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