The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to immediately issue orders stopping all outdoor sports activities in schools across the National Capital Region until further notice, citing hazardous air quality.
The bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran acted on submissions that schools continue to hold sports events in November–December, exposing children to severe pollution levels “like gas chambers.” The Court said such competitions must be shifted to safer months.
The bench further directed that the Delhi air quality matter be listed every month for continuous monitoring, noting that action cannot be taken only when pollution peaks. Monthly hearings will review action-taken reports from CAQM and the Environment Ministry.
The amicus curiae also highlighted a major lack of manpower in State pollution control boards, despite long-standing pollution control policies and GRAP. The Centre assured the Court that action-taken reports will be filed.
Additionally, the Court asked NCR States to clarify subsistence payments for construction workers affected by pollution-related restrictions. Earlier, the Court sought an affidavit from the Delhi government on the equipment used to measure AQI and its efficiency.
The air quality on Wednesday in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, with an AQI reading of 391. Stations such as Chandni Chowk, DTU, Bawana, Anand Vihar, Mundka, Narela, and Wazirpur recorded AQI levels exceeding 400.
In response to the worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
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