Pollution To Persist For A Week, Says IMD as CJI Voices Concern Over Health Impact

Delhi's air quality crisis showed no signs of abating on Wednesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering between 300 and 350 even in the evening, prompting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to voice grave concerns during a Supreme Court hearing. Justice Kant shared a personal anecdote, recounting how a 55-minute morning walk on Tuesday left him with breathing difficulties and discomfort for the rest of the day, making even routine outdoor activities hazardous. He highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that pollution levels have rendered simple pleasures like morning walks nearly impossible for residents.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that the toxic air will persist for at least another week, with no rainfall expected to provide relief in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). Senior IMD scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar explained that wind speeds will remain sluggish at 5 to 10 km per hour over the next seven days, trapping pollutants in the stagnant atmosphere. He added that the department's extended outlook indicates no precipitation in northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, for the next 15 days, exacerbating the seasonal smog fueled by stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial activity.

Senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi and Kapil Sibal echoed the Chief Justice's sentiments during the proceedings, with Dwivedi citing his own ill health as a reason for seeking exemption from physical attendance and Sibal revealing he has halted his daily walks due to the choking haze. Both lawyers urged the court to reinstate virtual hearings to safeguard health, a suggestion Dwivedi extended specifically to attorneys over 60 years old as an interim measure. Justice Kant responded positively, stating he would consult bar officials during upcoming Constitution Day celebrations before deciding on broader implementation.

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This isn't the first time the judiciary has intervened amid Delhi's annual pollution nightmare. Recently, Justice P.S. Narasimha advised lawyers to opt for virtual appearances given the deteriorating air quality, reflecting a growing recognition of the health toll on legal professionals and the public alike. The capital's AQI has frequently crossed the "very poor" threshold this November, with PM2.5 levels far exceeding safe limits, leading to school closures, construction bans, and odd-even vehicle restrictions—measures that experts say offer only temporary palliatives.

As Punjab braces for a cold wave starting Thursday, expected to last two days, the IMD warns that dropping temperatures could further densify the smog layer across northern India. Environmental activists and health experts have renewed calls for long-term solutions, such as stricter enforcement of farm residue management and a shift to electric mobility, to break the cycle of wintertime air emergencies that claim thousands of lives annually.

The Supreme Court's deliberations underscore a broader national urgency, with Justice Kant's remarks serving as a stark reminder that pollution transcends policy debates, infiltrating daily life and judicial functions. While immediate meteorological relief remains elusive, the push for adaptive courtroom practices could set a precedent for other institutions grappling with the invisible yet suffocating crisis.

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