The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Justice N.V. Ramana, was hearing the plea on the deteriorating air quality in Delhi NCR and questioned the state's reasons for failing to take steps that should have been taken to reduce air pollution.
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, stated that construction has been prohibited in Delhi-NCR, but the Central Vista project is still under construction.
“We are struggling on how to control air pollution, be it central vista or anything else, don’t think we don’t know anything, we know too,” CJI Ramana said. The bench also inquired of the centre about the status of the Central Vista project's construction.
Justice N.V. Ramana requested that the Solicitor General explain the key issues raised in the affidavit.
During the proceedings, the CJI mentioned the new variant of coronavirus, saying, "While we are dealing with the problem of air pollution, the problem of the new variant of corona has also entered it."
"We're taking various steps to combat the virus," said the SG.
The SG stated that, in addition to PNG, there are other fuel-based industries in the Delhi NCR; they conducted a surprise check on the diesel gensets and discovered that they were being used for general electricity by malls, etc.
SG also stated that the Air Quality Controlling Committee instructed all five states six months ago to use alternative fuels or shift industries, and that the states did not comply with the committee's instructions.