Delhi air quality crisis equivalent to smoking 30 cigarettes daily: SC

The severity of air pollution in Delhi-NCR has reached alarming levels, with air quality metrics drawing comparisons to smoking approximately 30 cigarettes per day, the Supreme Court was informed during proceedings. The Centre presented its response to the ongoing crisis, which intensifies seasonally and impacts millions of residents across the region. Health experts have repeatedly flagged the public health emergency posed by persistently poor air quality in India's capital region. The government outlined a multi-pronged approach to address the crisis, focusing on two key intervention areas. Measures to control stubble burning in neighbouring agricultural states have been emphasized, as crop residue burning contributes substantially to Delhi's pollution during winter months. Additionally, the Centre detailed restrictions on polluting vehicles entering the capital, part of broader efforts to reduce vehicular emissions. These initiatives reflect growing judicial scrutiny of air quality management in the region, with the Supreme Court previously intervening in environmental matters affecting public health. Implementation of such measures has historically faced challenges related to inter-state coordination and enforcement, particularly concerning agricultural practices in Punjab and Haryana. The court proceedings underscore mounting pressure on authorities to demonstrate concrete progress in improving air quality for residents of one of Asia's most polluted metropolitan areas.