Supreme Court allows CAQM to take ‘proactive’ measures to curb Delhi air pollution – The Hindu

Report on Supreme Court Directives for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR

1.0 Judicial Mandate for Proactive Environmental Action

On November 19, 2025, the Supreme Court of India granted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) full authority to implement proactive measures to mitigate severe air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). This decision underscores the judiciary’s commitment to upholding Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by empowering statutory bodies to enforce environmental regulations. The court stipulated that any measures must be implemented following consultation with stakeholders, reflecting an approach aligned with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

2.0 Proposed Short-Term Interventions for Immediate Impact

The CAQM submitted a note to the court outlining several short-term measures aimed at immediately improving air quality, directly contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). These proposals involve enhancing the existing Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

• Integration of GRAP IV Measures: Introduce restrictions typically under GRAP IV, such as work-from-home mandates and 50% office attendance, into the current GRAP III stage.
• Enhancement of GRAP II: Incorporate staggered office timings, a GRAP III measure, into GRAP II.
• Strengthening GRAP I: Augment public transport fleets and metro services, manage traffic congestion, and synchronize traffic signals.
• Vehicle Emission Control: A recommendation was made to remove protection for BS-III emission vehicles (10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol) from a previous court order, a critical step for improving urban air quality.
• Protection of Vulnerable Groups: The court directed the CAQM to issue necessary directions to states regarding the scheduling of school sports events during peak pollution months, safeguarding children’s health in line with SDG 3.

3.0 Proposed Long-Term Strategies for Sustainable Urban Development

The CAQM also proposed long-term measures designed to create lasting environmental improvements, aligning with multiple SDGs.

1. Sustainable Transport Policy (SDG 11, SDG 13): Review and strengthen electric vehicle (EV) policies and impose higher environmental protection charges on luxury diesel cars and SUVs (2000 cc and above) to disincentivize polluting vehicles.
2. Clean Energy Transition (SDG 7, SDG 13): Prohibit the establishment of new coal-based thermal power plants within a 300 km radius of Delhi.
3. Sustainable Infrastructure and Waste Management (SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 12):
   • Liquidate legacy waste within specified timelines.
   • Systematize the collection, transportation, and processing of construction and demolition waste.
   • Redevelop roads to include adequate green shoulders, promoting urban biodiversity and reducing dust.

4.0 Supreme Court Directives on Institutional Capacity and Social Equity

The court issued further directives to ensure the effective and equitable implementation of pollution control measures.

• Institutional Strengthening (SDG 16): Ordered the filling of all vacancies within state pollution control boards to enhance regulatory capacity.
• Economic Support (SDG 8): Directed authorities to take steps to pay subsistence allowances to daily-wage labourers whose livelihoods are affected by GRAP III restrictions, ensuring a just transition and addressing SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Continued Judicial Oversight: The Bench affirmed the need for regular monitoring of the air pollution issue by the Supreme Court, scheduling the next hearing for December 10 to ensure accountability and progress.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly addresses health concerns arising from severe air pollution. The reference to schools conducting sports events during peak pollution months as “virtually amount[ing] to putting children in a gas chamber” highlights the immediate and dangerous health impacts on the population, particularly vulnerable groups like children. The entire effort to curb air pollution is fundamentally aimed at protecting human health.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The long-term measure proposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to “not permit any new coal-based thermal power plants to be established within 300 km from Delhi” is a direct move away from polluting, fossil fuel-based energy sources towards cleaner alternatives. This aligns with the goal of increasing the share of clean energy.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article touches upon the socio-economic consequences of pollution control measures. The Supreme Court’s direction to “pay subsistence allowances to daily-wage labourers, who have been deprived of their livelihood due to the existing GRAP III restrictions” acknowledges the negative impact on employment and seeks to provide a social safety net, connecting the environmental issue to economic well-being and decent work.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This is a central SDG in the article, as the focus is on managing air quality in the Delhi-NCR urban agglomeration. Key issues discussed include:

  • Urban Air Quality: The entire article revolves around measures to reduce air pollution in a major urban area.
  • Sustainable Transport: Proposals include augmenting the public transport fleet and metro services, creating vehicle aggregator policies, and reviewing electric vehicle (EV) policies.
  • Waste Management: Long-term recommendations include the “liquidation of legacy waste” and the “collection, transportation and processing of construction and demolition waste.”
  • Green Public Spaces: The proposal for “redevelopment of roads with adequate green shoulders” points towards integrating green infrastructure into urban planning.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article discusses measures aimed at changing production and consumption patterns that lead to pollution. This includes managing waste from construction and demolition, liquidating legacy waste, and discouraging the use of highly polluting vehicles through higher environmental charges on “luxury diesel cars and SUVs of 2000 cc capacity and above.”

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  While not explicitly named, the actions to combat air pollution have significant co-benefits for climate action. Measures such as banning new coal power plants, restricting diesel vehicles, and promoting public and electric transport directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thus integrating climate change mitigation into national and regional policies.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article highlights the role of institutions in environmental governance. The Supreme Court’s involvement, the authority given to the CAQM, and the specific order to “fill-up vacancies in the pollution control boards” all point to the need for effective, accountable, and well-staffed institutions to implement and enforce environmental regulations.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article’s focus on curbing “air pollution throttling Delhi-NCR” and protecting children from its effects directly aligns with this target.

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The proposal to ban new coal-based thermal power plants is a concrete step towards achieving this target by limiting reliance on a major fossil fuel.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers… The directive to pay subsistence allowances to daily-wage labourers affected by restrictions is a social protection measure related to this target, aiming to mitigate the economic shock on vulnerable workers.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. This target is directly addressed through the GRAP measures for air quality and the long-term plans for managing legacy, construction, and demolition waste.
   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all… The recommendations to augment the public transport fleet, metro services, and develop policies for vehicle aggregators and EVs support this target.

5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air… The proposals for managing construction, demolition, and legacy waste are directly linked to this target.
   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. The focus on liquidating legacy waste and processing C&D waste contributes to this goal.

6. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The comprehensive set of actions proposed by CAQM and endorsed by the Supreme Court represents a regional strategy that integrates climate co-benefits (reducing emissions from transport and energy) into air pollution control policies.

7. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The court’s order to fill vacancies in pollution control boards is a direct action to strengthen the institutional capacity for environmental governance.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, several indicators are mentioned or strongly implied in the article:

• Air Quality Levels (Implied)

  The entire framework of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), with its different stages (I, II, III, IV), is based on ambient air quality levels (like the Air Quality Index). Therefore, the level of air pollution itself is the primary indicator for measuring the success of the implemented measures, relating to Target 11.6 and Target 3.9.

• Implementation of Transport Policies

  Progress can be measured by tracking the “augmentation of public transport fleet and metro services,” the notification of “vehicle aggregators’ policies,” and the “review of the electric vehicle policies.” These are specific, measurable actions related to Target 11.2.

• Waste Management Progress

  The “liquidation of legacy waste within a specified timeline” and the “processing of construction and demolition waste” are measurable outcomes. Progress can be tracked by the volume of waste processed, relating to Target 11.6 and Target 12.4.

• Restriction on Polluting Energy Sources

  A clear, binary indicator is the enforcement of the ban on any “new coal-based thermal power plants to be established within 300 km from Delhi.” This directly measures progress towards Target 7.2.

• Institutional Capacity

  The “filling up of vacancies in the pollution control boards” is a quantifiable indicator. The percentage of positions filled can be tracked to measure the strengthening of these institutions, as per Target 16.6.

• Economic Disincentives for Polluters

  The imposition and collection of “higher environmental protection charges in luxury diesel cars and SUVs” is a measurable financial indicator. The amount of funds collected can be tracked, as mentioned in the article, for use in pollution abatement, relating to Target 12.c (Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies), by extension.

• Social Support Measures

  The payment of “subsistence allowances to daily-wage labourers” is a direct indicator of social protection measures being implemented. The number of beneficiaries and the amount disbursed can be tracked to measure progress towards Target 8.8.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thehindu.com