Today, the Supreme Court requested responses from the union ministries regarding a proposal to relocate all coal-based industries out of the Delhi-NCR region to improve air quality. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, sought these responses to address the persistent air quality crisis in the National Capital Region (NCR). The bench stated that it would examine the issue of vehicular air pollution on March 12, based on the recommendations of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
The top court also requested responses from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Ministry of Power regarding the suggestion that no new coal-based thermal power plant be set up within 300 kilometers of Delhi. The bench instructed all stakeholders to submit their respective status reports and proposals before the next hearing on March 12.
The apex court also directed Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan to issue public notices inviting suggestions and objections from stakeholders, including coal-based industries in the NCR. The bench instructed the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) to submit a specific action plan to implement these CAQM-recommended long-term solutions. It also requested responses from all stakeholders on the measures suggested by the CAQM to address dust caused by construction and demolition activities.