The Supreme Court today sought responses from the union ministries on a proposal for shifting all coal-based industries out of Delhi-NCR to ensure better air quality. Responses have been sought by the bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi to deal with the persistent air quality crisis in the National Capital Region (NCR). The bench said it will examine the issue of vehicular air pollution on the 12th of March based on the suggestions made by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
The top court sought responses from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Power on the suggestion that no new coal-based thermal power plant be set up within 300 kilometres of Delhi. The bench asked all stakeholders to file their respective status reports and proposals before the next hearing on 12th March.
The apex court also directed Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan to issue public notices inviting suggestions and objections from stakeholders, including the coal-based industries in the NCR. The bench directed the Government of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) to submit a specific action plan to implement these CAQM-recommended long-term solutions. It also sought responses from all the stakeholders on the measures suggested by the CAQM to deal with dust due to construction and demolition activities.
