Delhi HC issues notice to Centre on plea against possible spread of coronavirus through centrally air-conditioned systems

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 25

The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Centre on a plea seeking directions to ensure that no centrally air-conditioned facilities in the capital was used without necessary measures to prevent spread of COVID19.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel on Friday asked the Centre to respond to the plea by advocate KC Mittal after senior advocate Meet Malhotra drew the court’s attention to possible spread of the pandemic through centrally air-conditioned systems.

On behalf of the Centre, advocate Ajay Digpaul told the Bench that the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has already issued guidelines on April 22 on this regard.

The court asked him to place it on record and posted the matter for further hearing on May 1.

The court is already seized of a suo motu PIL on air pollution in Delhi.

Mittal—who filed an application in this case—said although centrally air-conditioned buildings were seen as a sign of luxury, it can potentially act as a massive catalyst to further the spread of air/aerosol borne virus or other infections.

Noting that air-conditioning systems had no circulation of fresh air or exposure to sun, he submitted their usage will add to the unprecedented crisis of the coronavirus pandemic.

In view of the above, Mittal has prayed for directions to the respondents to take all necessary steps and precautions to ensure that no centrally air-conditioned buildings is put to use without adequate measures and precautions being taken to prevent spread of COVID-19.

He demand setting up of an expert panel to examine the issue and suggest technical solutions such as implanting ultraviolet disinfectant units into the air circulation system of air conditioning set up in the High Court.

Scientific evidence available so far suggests that it is communicated through contact with droplet infection from an infected subject to an non-infected one, Mittal said a portion of the cough, sneeze or tear dispersal of an infected person would be in aerosol form.

It is with this aerosol dispersal of infection that the applicant is concerned as the same can be ingested and circulated by the central air-conditioning installed in the Delhi High Court. Once aerosol infection enters the air ducts of the central air-conditioning system, the same could potentially infect dozens if not hundreds present in the high court.

The aforesaid is not an ideal speculation of the applicant, but is borne out by certain studies including World Health Organization (WHO) and other institutes, he submitted.