SC to Centre, consider implementing National Clean Air Programme in Delhi first

The court was hearing a matter related to a PIL filed in 1985 by environmentalist M C Mehta who had raised the issue of air pollution in the Delhi-NCR

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the government to consider implementing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) first in Delhi as the people were “struggling” due to pollution in the national capital. NCAP is aimed at tackling air pollution problem in 100 cities across the country.

Foreign tourists wearing masks as they visit Lotus Temple on a smoggy morning, in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. (HT File Photo)

You have lots of programmes but you can’t implement it. You can’t implement the programmes in Delhi and you are talking about pan-India. You at least implement it (NCAP)in Delhi first,” a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta told Additional Solicitor General ANS Nadkarni, who was appearing for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

“We are struggling in Delhi for years due to pollution. You implement the NCAP here at least,” the bench said.

The court was hearing a matter related to a PIL filed in 1985 by environmentalist MC Mehta who had raised the issue of air pollution in the Delhi-NCR.

The Apex court also directed the Centre to take a decision by June 30 this year on the issue of banning import of pet coke in the country.

He told the bench that parts of the comprehensive action plan have already been implemented in Delhi-NCR.

The bench, however, asked Nadkarni to ensure that the programmes aimed at tackling air pollution were not only notified, but also implemented properly.

It posted the matter for further hearing in July.