The order took note of the submissions of solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, that a plan for graded response has been prepared in pursuance of which measures are identified to be taken progressively on the basis of worsening levels of ambient air pollution.
Air quality visibly improved in Delhi after strong surface winds swept through the city on Sunday with today's AQI being recorded at 280 by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
The air pollution level in the National Capital Region (NCR) fluctuated between "very poor" and "poor". Gurugram and Noida recorded AQI of 283 and 303 in the "poor" and "very poor" categories on Wednesday morning.
Due to assembly polls in Punjab, fines are not being imposed to please farmers, senior advocate Vikas Singh told the Supreme Court.
The air quality of Delhi is likely to improve to the 'poor' or 'lower end of very poor' category for the next two days.
The decision comes after a high-level meeting to review the curbs imposed to contain high pollution levels in the city.
According to the SAFAR bulletin, the per cent share of stubble burning related pollutants to Delhi's PM2.5 may remain low in spite of high wind speeds.
Earlier on Wednesday, announcing emergency measures to reduce pollution, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that there will be 100 per cent work from home for the government departments till November 21.
The entry of trucks in Delhi except those carrying essential commodities has been stopped till November 21, 2021.
According to the fire department, the 13 identified pollution hotspots include Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Dwarka, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Narela, Okhla, Punjabi Bagh, R K Puram, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, and Wazirpur.
The BJP on Wednesday slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his handling of severe pollution in the national capital as it cited figures to allege that the city government spent 4,000 times more on advertising its promotion of a bio-decomposer, which destroys farm stubble without causing air pollution, than it did on purchase of the chemical.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reduced from 396 from Tuesday to 379 today.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) late night Tuesday directed that schools, colleges and educational institutions in the National Capital Region will remain closed until further orders, allowing only online mode of education.
The Delhi government has informed the Supreme Court that it is ready to take steps like complete lockdown to control air pollution but such a step would be meaningful if it is implemented across the NCR areas in neighbouring states.
The Supreme Court on Monday had directed the Commission For Air Quality Management to hold a joint meeting and on Tuesday.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
The Delhi government released a statement, in which it quoted Rai as saying that on November 9, a high-level meeting was conducted and it was decided that five strict steps will be taken to provide relief to the people of the city from the pollution problem as soon as possible.
According to the government agencies, AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 are marked as severe/hazardous.
The chief minister, after an emergency meeting, told reporters that his government will also present a proposal for lockdown before the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice said stubble burning may be part of the problem, but not the only issue behind severe air pollution in the capital.
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