Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Supreme Court Criticizes Air Quality Panel
The Supreme Court of India criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for not doing enough to tackle air pollution in Delhi.
The court said the CAQM was not serious about finding the causes of pollution or coming up with long-term solutions.
The court asked the CAQM to hold a meeting with experts in two weeks and submit a report on the main causes of pollution.
The court also said the CAQM should not be influenced by stakeholders when considering the issue of toll plazas at Delhi's borders.
The air quality in Delhi has been bad for a long time, and the court wants the CAQM to take this issue more seriously.
The Supreme Court criticized the CAQM for an 'unserious' approach to tackling air pollution in Delhi NCR.
The court directed the CAQM to convene a meeting of experts within two weeks to identify major causes of worsening air quality.
The CAQM was criticized for seeking a two-month adjournment on the issue of temporary closure or relocation of toll plazas at Delhi borders.
The court noted that expert bodies have varying views on the sources and proportions of pollution in the region.
The CAQM was directed to consider long-term solutions and their phased implementation, without being influenced by stakeholders' stances.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India and Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- What
- Criticism of CAQM for its approach to tackling air pollution in Delhi NCR
- When
- Tuesday (hearing and criticism)
- Where
- Delhi NCR
- Why
- To address the persistent poor air quality and the CAQM's perceived lack of seriousness in identifying causes and solutions
Supreme Court
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
Seriousness in Addressing Pollution
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court criticized the CAQM for an 'unserious' approach to tackling air pollution in Delhi NCR.
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
The CAQM sought a two-month adjournment on the issue of temporary closure or relocation of toll plazas at Delhi borders.
- Organization
- Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM)
- Location
- Delhi NCR
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Judges
- Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
- Deadline for Report
- Two weeks
- Issue
- Worsening air quality in Delhi NCR
- Court's Concern
- Lack of seriousness in addressing pollution causes and solutions
Sources
CAQM inspects 142 Noida roads; only four found with high dust levels
‘CAQM failed to identify causes’: SC slams air quality body over Delhi pollution menace
Supreme Court criticises air quality panel for ‘unserious’ approach towards pollution in Delhi
SC says central pollution watchdog ‘failing in its duty’ after it seeks 2-month adjournment on toll plaza issue
‘Unserious’: SC pulls up CAQM on worsening air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR
Bhupender Yadav directs priority measures on public transport to improve NCR’s air quality
Transport, Crop Residue, Industrial Emissions, Solid Waste: What Centre's Air Pollution Action Will Target
Combating Air Pollution in Hyderabad – Delhi Like GRAP Kept Under Wraps
Supreme Court pulls up CAQM: Failing duty… identify pollution causes, plan long-term solutions
