Delhi-NCR air pollution: SC to examine after 3 weeks if its directions on green crackers adhered to

As the AQI level reached very poor to severe level in Delhi-NCR, all eyes are on the enforcement mechanism set up by the Supreme Court in its October 15 order giving the go-ahead to green crackers this Diwali.

Ordering that the use of green firecrackers shall be confined to 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm one day before Diwali and on the Diwali day, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai had asked the district and police administration concerned to ensure that that timeframe was adhered to.

The Bench had also asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in consultation with the State Pollution Control Boards and their respective regional offices within the districts coming under the NCR, to monitor the air quality index in their respective jurisdictions till October 25 and file a report specifying the air quality of each day.

“Along with such monitoring the Regional Offices of the State Pollution Control Boards shall also take samples of sand and water from sites having more density of use for analysis,” it had said.

Clarifying that the relaxation was only on a test case basis and only for the period specified, the top court had directed the matter to be listed for hearing after three weeks when it will consider these reports and issue further directions.

The Bench would also examine if the directions given to the district and police administration concerned to ensure that the sale of National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)-approved green crackers was permitted only from the designated locations identified for the purpose were implemented fully or partially or were violated.

The police authorities were directed to constitute patrolling teams in consultation with the district administration to keep a vigil on the designated locations of sale, including officers as nominated from the Regional Offices of the State Pollution Control Boards.

“The patrol teams shall conduct regular reconnaissance in the designated sites to ensure that only the permitted products shall be sold and that too having the QR Codes issued. They shall also take random samples for the purpose of analysis, which shall be transmitted to PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation),” the top court had ordered.

“On violations noticed, the responsibility shall attach to those (involved in manufacturing or sale of prohibited products) who shall not only be penalised but also their licence/registration from PESO or with NEERI shall stand cancelled,” it had said.