Supreme Court Upholds Firecracker Ban in Delhi-NCR, Cites Air Quality Concerns

The Supreme Court has declined to lift the ban on manufacturing, storing, and selling firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, citing persistently alarming air pollution levels. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan stressed that pollution disproportionately affects street workers and other vulnerable groups. The court noted that not everyone can afford an air purifier at home or work, underscoring the necessity of maintaining the ban.

The bench referenced multiple orders issued over the past six months, highlighting the severe pollution crisis in Delhi. It reiterated that the right to health is a fundamental part of Article 21 of the Constitution, which includes the right to live in a pollution-free environment. The court emphasized that unless there was conclusive proof that emissions from green crackers were minimal, there was no justification to reconsider the ban. Given the "extraordinary situation" of air pollution in the capital, the restriction remains in place.

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 15.6 degrees Celsius, 3.2 degrees below the season's average, according to the Met office. The air quality at 9 am was categorized as "poor," with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 219, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good," 51 to 100 is "satisfactory," 101 to 200 is "moderate," 201 to 300 is "poor," 301 to 400 is "very poor," and 401 to 500 is "severe."

In response to the ongoing air pollution crisis, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced in the assembly that the Delhi government will introduce a new policy for issuing Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates for vehicles from other states. This move aims to strengthen pollution control measures in the national capital.

The decision follows concerns raised in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report titled "Vehicular Air Pollution in Delhi," which pointed out lapses in the city's pollution control framework.

With PTI inputs.