Car has become a status symbol, people prioritising 4-wheelers over cycles: CJI Surya Kant on Delhi air pollution
Delhi air pollution: The Supreme Court on Tuesday flagged the growing obsession with private cars as a key contributor to worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarking that four-wheelers have increasingly become a symbol of social status.
The observation came during the hearing of a petition related to air pollution in the national capital region. Responding to suggestions made by senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, the CJI noted that people are now prioritising car ownership over eco-friendly alternatives such as bicycles, even saving money specifically to buy cars.
Dwivedi argued before the court that the influence of the automobile industry has made meaningful reforms difficult, including curbing multiple-car ownership. Echoing concerns about equity, the Chief Justice said that environmental responsibility should not be limited to ordinary citizens alone. He stressed that affluent sections of society must also make sacrifices by opting for cleaner mobility options, such as electric vehicles, instead of high-end fuel-driven cars.
The court also expressed strong displeasure over the functioning of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), accusing it of failing to act decisively amid deteriorating air quality. The Bench criticised the commission for seeking a two-month adjournment on the issue of temporarily shutting down or relocating toll plazas at Delhi’s borders to reduce traffic congestion.
Terming the CAQM’s approach as lacking seriousness, the court observed that the watchdog appeared indifferent to both identifying the root causes of the rising Air Quality Index (AQI) and implementing long-term corrective measures.
The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, directed the CAQM to convene a meeting of experts within two weeks and submit a detailed report outlining the primary factors behind the worsening pollution levels and possible solutions.
- With inputs from agencies
