CJI stresses need for long-term, science-driven roadmap to fix air quality
The Supreme Court on Thursday underscored that Delhi’s air pollution crisis cannot be solved through court orders alone and requires a sustained, expert-led strategy that addresses the root causes of toxic smog. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, hearing a batch of air quality-related matters, emphasised that judicial intervention has limitations when it comes to complex, multi-agency environmental problems.
The remarks came as pollution levels in Delhi and its surrounding regions continue to fluctuate sharply despite emergency measures, periodic bans and monitoring drives. The bench highlighted that long-term institutional mechanisms — not short-lived firefighting actions — are crucial if Delhi-NCR is to break free from its annual air quality cycle.
“We don’t have a magic wand to clean the air. This is a very complex and technical issue, and it has to be handled by experts,” the CJI observed during the hearing, calling for a comprehensive, science-backed blueprint to tackle pollution sources across sectors.
Court cautions against over-reliance on litigation
At the hearing, the court noted that relying solely on judicial directions cannot yield permanent solutions. While the apex court has issued several crucial orders over the years — regulating construction dust, monitoring stubble burning, controlling vehicular emissions and overseeing industrial compliance — the bench said that lasting change requires coordinated governance and specialised intervention.
“We can only push for accountability and ensure implementation, but the formulation of a roadmap must come from people who understand the science, engineering and environmental modelling behind air pollution,” the CJI said.
The court suggested forming or strengthening an expert-led body with adequate powers to coordinate between Union ministries, Delhi and neighbouring state governments, and pollution control agencies. Such a body, the bench said, should be able to design long-term policy transitions while ensuring year-round compliance.
Need for sector-wise mitigation plan
The Supreme Court reiterated that pollution in Delhi-NCR is linked to multiple interdependent contributors — transport emissions, industrial output, waste-burning, construction activity and winter stubble burning in farm belts. Because the sources differ by season and geography, the bench argued, only a holistic and continuous plan can address the issue effectively.
The court also questioned whether current emergency measures, such as GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) restrictions, are doing enough to prevent pollution levels from slipping back into the ‘severe’ range each winter. The bench asked authorities to examine why short-term curbs do not translate into long-term improvement despite annual repetition.
Centre, states asked to submit actionable blueprint
Taking note of the submissions by the Delhi government, the Centre and pollution control boards, the court directed all stakeholders to present a more detailed, realistic and actionable plan focused on long-term mitigation. This includes specifying timelines for fleet electrification, industrial retrofitting, dust control technologies, sustainable waste management and cross-border agricultural interventions.
The bench also sought clarity on inter-state coordination, stressing that Delhi’s air quality cannot improve unless Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan enforce parallel measures.
“Delhi’s pollution may be the face of the crisis, but the solution lies beyond the city’s borders,” the court remarked.
Conclusion
As the capital braces for another challenging winter, the Supreme Court’s candid observation signals a shift in approach — pushing governments to invest in deep structural reforms instead of relying on seasonal bans. With the CJI urging an expert-led, long-term strategy, the onus now lies on governments and specialised agencies to deliver a roadmap that can finally put Delhi on a sustainable path to clean air.