Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO, publicly criticised the Supreme Court for prioritising the use of "green" firecrackers over public health, as New Delhi reeled under a toxic smog blanket following Diwali festivities. In a scathing post on X, Kant argued that the court’s decision to relax restrictions on low-emission firecrackers undermined the "right to live and breathe", with the capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring past 400 in areas like Punjabi Bagh, classifying air quality as ‘severe’. The festival, celebrated with widespread firecracker bursts despite partial bans, exacerbated pollution driven by seasonal factors like stubble burning, pushing Delhi into a public health emergency that affects its 20 million residents.

Kant proposed a rigorous action plan, citing successful anti-pollution strategies in Los Angeles, Beijing, and London. He called for an immediate end to crop and biomass burning in neighbouring states, which contribute significantly to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels—up to 35% during winter, per SAFAR data. Additionally, he advocated shutting down or retrofitting coal-based thermal power plants, major sources of sulphur emissions, and transitioning Delhi’s entire transport system, including its 12 million vehicles, to electric within five years. His post emphasised "ruthless and sustained execution" to transform Delhi from one of the world’s most polluted capitals into a cleaner, healthier urban hub.

The Supreme Court’s allowance of "green" firecrackers, intended to balance cultural traditions with environmental concerns, has drawn ire for weak enforcement, as non-compliant high-pollution crackers were widely used. Delhi’s air crisis, linked to over 15,000 premature deaths annually per a 2024 WHO report, spikes hospital visits for respiratory issues, particularly among children and seniors.

Kant’s remarks align with growing frustration among environmentalists, who criticise the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for inconsistent implementation, despite measures like construction bans and vehicle restrictions. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, up 25% this season per ISRO data, remains a persistent challenge requiring regional coordination.

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Kant’s intervention amplifies calls for systemic reforms as Delhi battles recurring winter smog. With India targeting net-zero emissions by 2070, his proposals—electric mobility subsidies, stricter farm fire penalties, and power plant upgrades—demand urgent action. As political parties trade blame, with AAP citing central government inaction and BJP pointing to local lapses, public discontent mounts. The crisis, worsened by Diwali’s pollution spike, underscores the need for unified policies and robust enforcement to ensure cleaner air, sparing residents another season of hazardous breathing conditions.

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