In this context, the Delhi government is said to be exploring and examining the possibility of having a green budget that could contribute towards striking a balance between economic growth and protection of the environment in the capital.
The Sub-Committee had invoked Stage III of GRAP on January 16, following a deterioration in Delhi’s average AQI. Subsequently, Delhi’s air quality showed a downward trend.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi made it clear that the Court would not entertain any objections to the recommendations of the CAQM and that the focus must now be on their effective implementation.
It is said that Citizens' complaints have also come forward stating that even when Metro work is completed, roads, footpaths and other infrastructure have not been repaired, resulting in pollution and causing traffic obstructions.
CM Gupta has said that any negligence in pollution control in the national capital will not be tolerated, adding that her government is treating pollution as an emergency mission and is making determined efforts to bring it under control.
In response to the worsening pollution, the civic authority has issued stop memos to construction and dust-generating activities while small industries, like bakeries and marble-cutting units have been directed to adopt cleaner technologies, officials said.
On Wednesday, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 327, improving slightly in the past few days while remaining in the ‘very poor’ category.
Notably, the unauthorised industries that do not comply with the pollution norms, contribute to the pollution significantly.
“Private offices are requested to widely communicate these protocols and ensure prompt, effective implementation in all subsidiary and branch locations,” the Environment Department said in a statement.
“In the Shahdara South Zone, a total of 78 special teams have been constituted to implement the Winter Action Plan to control pollution,” said Badal Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Shahdara South Zone, MCD.
