Delhi smog: Supreme Court seeks responses from Centre, state governments

NEW DELHI: Hearing a plea seeking to curb rising pollution in Delhi and the national capital region (NCR), the Supreme Court of India today said that it was an emergency-like situation, reported ANI.

"Supreme Court observed that it was an emergency like situation and sought expeditious action," ANI reported.

The apex court also sought responses from the Centre and neighbouring state governments over the issue.

"SC seeks responses from Centre, UP, Haryana and Punjab on the plea seeking direction to curb pollution through road dust, stubble burning," PTI reported.

The apex court also refused to put a stay on matters pertaining to pollution which is going on before any other court.

Earlier, a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud considered the submission of lawyer R K Kapoor that rise in dust particles on roads and stubble burning in Delhi's neighbouring states Haryana and Punjab had led to an alarming rise in pollution levels in the NCR and its adjoining areas. "We cannot ignore the pollution," the bench said adding that it would hear the plea today itself after finishing the matters listed on its board.

The fresh plea seeks directions to the Centre and the states concerned to take measures on curbing road dust and stubble burning. It also seeks effective implementation of the odd-even car-rationing scheme.

(With inputs from PTI/ANI)