Delhi-NCR Air Pollution : Supreme Court Slams CAQM For Lax Approach, Seeks Report On Causes & Long Term Solutions

The Supreme Court on Tuesday strongly criticised the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for what it termed an "unserious" approach towards addressing the persistent air pollution crisis in Delhi NCR, and directed the statutory body to urgently convene a coordinated meeting of domain experts and place a comprehensive report on record and in the public domain.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that expert bodies were at variance on the identification of sources and the proportionate contribution of various factors leading to deterioration in air quality.

The Bench observed in its order that different expert institutions, including technical bodies such as the Indian Institute of Technology, had attributed widely varying percentages to emission sectors. As an illustration,the Bench noted that the contribution of the transport and emission sector to worsening AQI in the NCR ranged anywhere between 12 percent and 41 percent, depending on the expert body.

Despite multiple measures taken over time, the Bench observed that air quality in the National Capital Region remained persistently poor, if not aggravated. The Court noted that it had been compelled to take up the issue intermittently over the years, seeking advice from experts and amici, yet the situation continued to deteriorate.

CAQM's Response Unsatisfactory

Referring to its order dated December 17, 2025, the Court said CAQM had been specifically asked to revisit long-term remedial measures. However, instead of placing a concrete action plan, CAQM had merely filed a status note which, according to the Bench, "does not reflect any seriousness on the part of the authority, and is unfortunately silent on most of the issues raised by this Court."

The Bench remarked that CAQM appeared to be in "no hurry" to either identify the precise causes of worsening AQI or to formulate long-term solutions, forcing the Court to issue directions to expedite both exercises.

Court Criticises Stakeholders' Stands

The Bench also expressed displeasure with affidavits filed by civic and other authorities. It noted that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, instead of proposing solutions, had focused on defending toll plazas as a source of income. The National Highways Authority of India and the Gurugram Metro Development Authority were also referred to as having sought apportionment of environmental compensation charges. On December 17, the Court had suggested the closure of toll plazas in NCR to avoid traffic congestion.

Directions Issued

Taking note of suggestions placed by the amicus curiae, Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, on vehicular pollution, industrial emissions, power plant compliance, construction dust, road dust and firecrackers, the Court emphasised that CAQM was obligated to bring all relevant domain experts under one umbrella and arrive at a uniform identification of causes based on available data.

The Bench directed CAQM to convene a meeting of shortlisted experts within two weeks and, based on their continuous deliberations, submit a report identifying the major causes of AQI deterioration. The Court further directed that the report be placed in the public domain to enable public awareness and participation.

CAQM was also asked to simultaneously begin examining long-term solutions and plan their phased implementation, prioritising measures addressing the highest contributing sources of pollution. The issue of toll plazas was directed to be reconsidered independently, uninfluenced by the positions taken by various stakeholders.

The Court made it clear that it would not grant long adjournments and intended to monitor the matter on a continuous basis

Case Title – MC Mehta v. Union of India WP (C) 13029/1985