Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan raised concerns about ongoing construction within the Supreme Court premises during a hearing on air pollution. The court was reviewing pollution levels based on updates from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Delhi government. Sankarnarayanan emphasized the irony of construction activity amid efforts to curb pollution.
New Delhi: During a discussion on the alarming air pollution levels in Delhi, the Supreme Court criticized the Delhi government and other authorities regarding ongoing construction activities. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan noted that construction was taking place right outside Court 11 in the Supreme Court itself.
This observation came as the court was reviewing pollution levels with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Delhi government.
A bench consisting of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih inquired about the enforcement of construction bans intended to mitigate pollution.
Justice Oka questioned,
“What about the ban on construction and demolition? Is anyone verifying these sites? Who is monitoring this?”
That’s when Sankarnarayanan remarked,
“Construction is happening right here within the Supreme Court premises. Stones are being broken, and dust is filling the air.”
He pointed out that the newly inaugurated block was still under construction, contributing to visible dust pollution.
In response, a surprised Justice Oka promptly directed,
“Flash a message requesting the Secretary General to appear in court. Just call him.”
The Supreme Court hearing a petition aimed at enforcing measures to combat air pollution in the national capital.
On Monday, the court chastised the Delhi government and the central Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for their delays in implementing anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
The air quality in Delhi has reached a ‘severe plus’ category.
The court ordered that Stage 4 restrictions under GRAP would remain in effect until further notice. On Sunday evening, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) fell into the “severe-plus” category, deteriorating further on Monday to a reading of 495 by 1 pm, marking the worst air quality of the season.
This far exceeds the safe limits suggested by the World Health Organization, posing serious health risks to residents. To tackle the crisis, authorities have taken emergency steps such as shutting schools, pausing construction work, and limiting vehicle movement. The pollution spike is mainly attributed to stubble burning in nearby states and weather patterns that prevent the dispersal of pollutants.