Supreme Court's Stern Warning to CAQM Over Air Quality in Delhi-NCR

Supreme Court Criticizes CAQM's Approach to Air Pollution

New Delhi: The Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the deteriorating air quality in the Delhi-NCR region on Tuesday (January 6, 2026), reprimanding the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The bench, led by Chief Justice Suryakant, labeled the CAQM's methods as 'non-serious', indicating that the commission is neither swiftly identifying the precise causes of pollution nor proposing long-term solutions.

The court instructed the CAQM to convene a meeting of various domain experts within two weeks and prepare a comprehensive report detailing the primary causes of the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR based on their discussions. This report is to be made publicly accessible, ensuring that the general populace is informed about the root causes of pollution as identified by experts. The court emphasized that identifying the causes must precede finding solutions, as no effective plan can be developed without understanding the underlying issues.

Key Observations from the Court

Court's Major Remarks:

• CJI Suryakant stated, 'As an expert body, CAQM's primary responsibility is to identify the main causes of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.'


• The court questioned the tendency to always blame stubble burning, citing that during the COVID period, stubble was burned, yet the skies over Delhi were clear and stars were visible. This indicates that pollution has multiple dimensions.


• Commenting on vehicles, CJI noted, 'Cars have now become a status symbol, and people have abandoned using bicycles.'


• The court also sought answers from CAQM regarding traffic jams and pollution associated with toll plazas.


• The request from CAQM for a two-month extension was denied by the court, which stated that delays would only complicate the issue further.