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Hearing a plea regarding worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Chief Justice observed that people are increasingly saving money to buy cars rather than using bicycles. “Car has become a status symbol… People are saving money to buy cars and have stopped using cycles,” he said during the proceedings.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday flagged the growing obsession with private cars as a key contributor to air pollution, with Surya Kant remarking that four-wheelers have become a status symbol in Indian society.
Hearing a plea regarding worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Chief Justice observed that people are increasingly saving money to buy cars rather than using bicycles. “Car has become a status symbol… People are saving money to buy cars and have stopped using cycles,” he said during the proceedings.
The observation came after senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi suggested that curbing multiple-car ownership could be one solution to address air pollution, adding that the automobile industry wields enormous influence.
Responding to the argument, the CJI said the affluent sections of society must also share the burden of sacrifice. “The rich people should also sacrifice. Instead of going for high-end vehicles, they should go for good electric vehicles,” he remarked.
The court also came down heavily on the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), criticising it for a lack of urgency and seriousness in tackling the pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR. The Bench, comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, took exception to CAQM seeking a two-month adjournment on the issue of temporary closure or relocation of toll plazas on Delhi’s borders to reduce traffic congestion.
Pulling up the pollution watchdog, the court said CAQM appeared to be in no hurry to either identify the root causes of the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI) or to work towards long-term solutions. The Bench directed CAQM to convene a meeting of experts within two weeks and submit a detailed report identifying the major contributors to rising pollution levels and proposing corrective measures.
