A new law to control air pollution by the Centre specifically in Delhi/NCR region within a week.Delhi/NCR is among the most polluted regions of the world. Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad, Bhiwadi and other NCR towns all recorded ‘very poor’ category air on Monday. To curb the air pollution, Centre is bringing a new Air Pollution law.
On Monday, The Supreme Court (SC) suspended its earlier order that was issued on October 16 appointing former apex court Judge Madan B Lokur as a one-man committee to enforce a strict ban on stubble burning in neighbouring states of the national capital such as Haryana, Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh (UP). The order was “kept in abeyance” by a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde, after Solicitor-General (S-G) Tushar Mehta informed the court about a comprehensive law being planned by the Centre to control air pollution.
According to the State of Global Air 2020 (SOGA 2020) report which was released last week says India recorded the highest annual average PM 2.5 concentration exposure in the world last year. India was followed by Nepal, Niger, Qatar and Nigeria in high PM 2.5 exposures. This means people in India are exposed to the highest PM 2.5 concentrations globally. The report also said that India has been recording an increase in PM 2.5 pollutant since 2010. Central Pollution Control Board’s 2019 report indicates that the national average PM 2.5 concentrations have been recording a rising trend in the past three years owing to the increasing number of vehicles and re-suspension of natural dust. Among 20 most populous countries, 14 have recorded a gradual improvement in air quality.