Air pollution in Delhi 'very, very serious', says Supreme Court

New Delhi: A Supreme Court bench on Thursday termed the air pollution in Delhi a "very, very serious" situation and urged lawyers to appear via video conference instead of appearing in person.

"Situation is very, very serious! Why are you all appearing here? We have a virtual hearing facility. Please avail it. This pollution will cause permanent damage," a bench of justices PS Narasimha and Atul Chandrukar verbally said.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was present in the court, said lawyers were using masks. Speaking for the bench, justice Narasimha verbally remarked, "Even masks are not enough. It will not suffice." The judge said the bench will discuss the matter with Chief Justice of India BR Gavai as well.


Another Supreme Court bench had on Wednesday enquired about the action taken by Punjab and Haryana to control the menace of stubble burning in the wake of deteriorating air quality in Delhi.

A bench of CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran had sought an action taken report after it was informed that stage III of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented in Delhi due to the high level of air pollution. "Let Punjab and Haryana governments respond on steps taken to control stubble burning," the bench said as it ordered listing of the case on November 17.

At the last hearing, the court had called for a status report from the Commission for Air Quality Management on the deteriorating air quality in Delhi.