New Delhi: The country’s capital and NCR have become gas chambers. It has become difficult to breathe. Like every year, this time too pollution has made people’s lives miserable. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has taken a big step on Wednesday. The court has considered the jam on the border of Delhi as a major reason for pollution. To end this, the Supreme Court has given strict instructions to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The court has said that the toll plazas present at 9 entry points of Delhi should either be shifted or closed temporarily. The bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant has given only one week’s time to the MCD to take the decision. This order of the court may provide a big relief to the vehicles entering Delhi, but its real objective is to reduce the poisonous air.
Why did the Supreme Court take this step?
The bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi took this seriously. The court said that we do not need paper protocols, but practical and ground-based solutions.
The court suggested to NHAI whether these toll plazas can be shifted to such places where NHAI can operate them itself. If this happens, a part of the toll can be given to MCD so that they do not suffer any loss.
There is no good for vehicles older than BS-IV now! Supreme Court changed its own order
- In the fight against pollution, the court has given a big verdict on old vehicles also. The court has modified its order of August 12, 2025. Now action can be taken against old vehicles below BS-IV standard (BS-III or older) in Delhi-NCR.
- This means that the administration can now take action against 10 year old diesel and 15 year old petrol vehicles which do not meet the BS-IV standard. They may be confiscated or scrapped.
- However, while giving relief, the court made it clear that there will be no coercive action on BS-IV and newer vehicles, even if they are 10 or 15 years old.
Is opening a school more important than the lives of children?
The issue of closing schools also heated up during the hearing. Senior advocate Maneka Guruswamy argued that poor children are suffering the most due to the closure of schools. They are not able to get mid-day meal. He said that only rich parents can take advantage of online studies or staying at home. Poor children stay outside anyway. But the Supreme Court did not accept this argument.
The Chief Justice said that the court cannot become a ‘super specialist’. If the experts (CAQM) have decided to close the school, we will not interfere in it. Anyway, winter vacation is about to come, so no tampering will be done now. The court made it clear that the health of children cannot be compromised.
What will happen to the poor labourers? 7000 got the money, what about the rest?
The court expressed concern not only over pollution but also over the livelihood of the workers affected by it. Thousands of laborers have become unemployed due to the ban on construction. The court asked the Delhi government when these laborers would get the money. ASG Aishwarya Bhati said that out of about 2.5 lakh registered laborers, only 7,000 have been verified so far. The court expressed displeasure over this slow pace.
The judges said in a strict tone that it should be ensured that the money goes into the accounts of the workers only. It should not happen that the money is sent and it goes missing or goes into someone else’s account. The court directed the government to think about alternative employment for those workers who are unable to work.
Pollution has become the cry of every year: Where is the long term plan?
The Supreme Court also expressed displeasure that pollution has become an ‘annual feature’ every winter. Same problem and same temporary solution every time. The court reprimanded the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and said that now taking measures in pieces will not work. Long term strategy will have to be made.
The court said that concrete steps will have to be taken for traffic management, urban mobility and to stop farmers from burning stubble. Just making rules will not help, they should also be followed. The court has fixed the next hearing on MC Mehta’s petition on January 6 and has said that this matter will be heard at least twice in a year.
Will Delhi’s air improve now?
If these orders of the Supreme Court are implemented properly then the people of Delhi can get great relief. Removing or shifting the toll plaza will reduce the jam on the border, which will result in less smoke. The pollution level will also reduce due to removal of old and damaged vehicles from the road. But the biggest question is whether MCD and NHI will be able to follow the court order within 7 days? Will Delhi government be able to provide help to the workers? Only time will tell. For the time being, the court has put the ball in the court of the administration and has given a strict warning that now action is not required, only talk.
