SC pulls up authorities over Delhi pollution, gave this suggestion to MCD and NHAI
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has taken a tough stand on the worsening pollution crisis and traffic jams in Delhi-NCR. The apex court has directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to seriously consider relocating nine major toll collection booths entering the capital. The court believes that the long queues of vehicles at these toll booths and the smoke emanating from them are a major cause of pollution and cannot be ignored.
During the hearing, Justice Surya Kant's bench suggested that these toll booths could be shifted to NHAI-controlled areas to alleviate congestion. The court also offered the option of having the toll collection handled by NHAI, with the revenue shared between the two agencies. Specifically, the MCD toll plaza on the Delhi-Gurugram border was informed of the hours-long traffic jams. Justice Surya Kant sharply questioned why physical toll collection was necessary today. He reprimanded the officials, asking, "If you know the situation will remain the same next year, why can't you close these toll booths for two months?" The court directed a decision on this matter within a week.
Additionally, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Municipal Corporation of India (MCI), seeking their responses. This notice was issued in response to a petition that identified traffic congestion at toll plazas as a major source of pollution. The court clarified that the administration must disclose its concrete plans to address traffic congestion at toll plazas.
On the other hand, in view of the dangerous level of pollution, the Delhi government has also taken major administrative decisions. Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra has announced that 50% work from home will be mandatory in all government and private institutions in the capital from Thursday. Apart from this, relief has also been announced for registered laborers affected by the closure of construction work due to GRAP-3 restrictions. The Labor Department has decided that the government will send a compensation amount of Rs 10,000 directly to the bank accounts of the affected laborers during the closure of work.