Delhi pollution: Supreme Court to go by expert opinion on plea for online classes if AQI rises

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would go by expert opinion on a plea seeking closure of physical classes in schools for students across all age groups if the air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorates further.

The court's remarks come as Delhi continues to grapple with hazardous air pollution, with the city's average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 389 in the 'very poor' category at 8 am on Friday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Several monitoring stations across the national capital recorded 'severe' air quality levels. IIT Delhi and Rohini reported an AQI of 474 each, followed by Punjabi Bagh at 465 and RK Puram at 443. The AQI at ITO stood at 422, Firoz Shah Road at 420 and India Gate at 403, CPCB data showed.


The Supreme Court also flagged vehicular emissions as a major contributor to rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR, pointing to bumper-to-bumper traffic in the region and seeking details from authorities on measures taken to tackle the problem.

The court also stressed the need to educate farmers about the economic implications of stubble burning, observing that they would stop the practice once they understood its economics.

Referring to the impact of restrictions during Diwali, the Supreme Court said the festival was the only period when poor people earned a livelihood, and that they suffered while pollution caused by big cars and vehicles remained a concern.