The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought a new and all-encompassing report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) concerning the air pollution situation in Delhi-NCR.

During a hearing, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) addressed a case where it had proactively taken notice (suo-motu) based on a newspaper report highlighting the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.

The NGT, presided over by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, noted that in a previous hearing, the tribunal had instructed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to update its action report according to specified criteria.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) submitted a tabulated report dated January 2, outlining action points aimed at mitigating air pollution, along with a targeted timeline and other relevant details.

The bench also acknowledged the representations made by the counsel for the commission regarding various implementing agencies, including the governments of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, along with their roles in addressing the issue.

The NGT bench observed that the report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) indicated a tendency to allocate responsibility to various agencies without adequately considering the powers vested in each, as conferred by relevant authorities.

The bench observed that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act in 2021.

The green panel expressed dissatisfaction with the arguments pertaining to the responsibility of other agencies, emphasizing that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) possesses extensive powers and should not deflect from its own responsibilities.

The matter has been listed for further proceedings on January 23.