Delhi Air Pollution | Supreme Court Calls For Report On Efficiency Of AQI Monitoring Stations

The Supreme Court today granted a day's time to the Union to explore the possible long-term solutions for curbing the issue of air pollution in Delhi NCR. On the issue of correct AQI readings by Air Quality Monitoring Stations across the city, the bench also directed the Union to file a report detailing the nature and efficiency of the equipments used for recording readings. The bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria passed the directions. During the hearings, Sr Adv Gopal Sankarnarayanan, appearing for intervenors, stressed that in India the threshold to declare 'Severe Plus' AQI is 450+, while, as per the WHO standard, it should be 50+; he also submitted that stricter measures like a year-long ban on construction activities should be imposed in Delhi-NCR to reduce pollution. The CJI rejected this submission of Gopal S, citing that a large population of people from various states have their livelihood depended upon construction and work activities in Delhi-NCR. On the issue of stubble burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana contributing to air pollution, the CJI referred to the measures that CAQM recommended in its communication to both the states on November 13, 2025. The bench observed that "if the directions issued by CAQM to Punjab and Haryana are scrupulously implemented, the issue of stubble burning can be addressed to a large extent." "We therefore direct the Chief Secretaries of both the states to ensure that the directive issued by the CAQM dated 13th of November are scrupulously implemented," the Court ordered.The bench also recorded the statement of ASG Aishwarya Bhatti appearing for the Union that the MoEF had fixed a meeting on November 11 with all the concerned state ministries of environment to address the issue of air pollution. The bench also recorded the submission that the Union needed a day's time to ponder on a long-term solution to curb air pollution. Considering the same the bench observed :"We therefore direct the matter to be listed on 19th of November so that the learned ASG could apprise us of the proposed plan of action."On Air Monitoring Stations During the hearing, the ASG also pointed out that the stations/ equipment for reading the AQI index do not show if the index crosses 999. She thus sought a direction to the CPCB to file a response on what is the state of the equipment which monitors.She also explained that out of 83 monitoring stations, 39 stations are located across Delhi. The reading for the day is determined by the highest index shown within 24 hours. For each hour, the equipment records the reading. Then all 39 stations are averaged out to count the AQI of the entire city. She clarified that pollution hotspots like Anand Vihar will have higher readings, while those areas which are rich in vegetation will record lower readings like the Lutyens side. Amicus curiaa, Senior Advocate Apprajita Singh, interjected to point out claims of water being sprinkled around the air monitoring stations to fake reduce levels of reading "Water is being sprinkled around monitoring stations, its being reported widely, newspapers have stated, there are videos,"she said.CJI then remarked that the Court can consider asking the GNCTD to upgrade to modern equipments.At this juncture, ASG clarified,"Our equipments are one of the best in the world, the equipments are not lacking in any way- the sprinkling of water is happening across the city, its a measure of GRAP III." She added that new instructions now require every building with more than five floors to install anti-smog guns She explained that water sprinkling was crucial to bring polluting molecules down and if the tree leaves are washed, they absorb the air better. "It's not that showering on an AQI monitor will reduce the reading, the reading is not happening once a day- its happening all 24 hours." The bench passed the following direction : "According to amicus, the equipment is not suitable for Delhi city. ASG counters that the equipment used is one of the best in the world. The Union is to place on record the nature of the equipment being used and its efficiency."Also Read : Delhi NCR Air Pollution | Supreme Court Rules Out Year-Long Construction Ban To Improve Air QualityCase Details : MC Mehta v. Union of India WP (C) 13029/1985

Delhi Air Pollution | Supreme Court Calls For Report On Efficiency Of AQI Monitoring Stations

Anmol Kaur Bawa

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