New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern about the high pollution levels in Delhi and asked senior lawyers to appear at hearings virtually, as wearing masks alone was not enough. Describing the air pollution situation as "very serious", the top court asked why senior lawyers had appeared physically when there was a video conferencing facility.
The top court's scathing remark came as Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Thursday morning (November 13), as the city’s air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category for the third straight day.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Bawana region in Delhi recorded the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) at 460 at 8 am, while NSIT Dwarka reported the lowest at 216.
The top court has also directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to file status reports on the measures they have taken to curb stubble burning, which continues to contribute to the worsening air pollution in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region, Live Law reported.
SC refuses to intervene in Cauvery rowMeanwhile, the top court has refused to intervene in the Cauvery water-sharing dispute between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, leaving the matter to be decided by experts. The bench rejected the Tamil Nadu government’s application against the Karnataka government’s plan to construct the Mekedatu Dam in the Cauvery River as “premature". The bench said the matter was under consideration only by expert bodies and that the Court cannot interfere. |
