The Supreme Court slammed the Delhi police on Monday for failing to implement the firecracker ban in the national capital and only seizing raw materials.
This rap came as the national capital choked under the &lsquo;severe plus&rsquo; air quality amid dense fog in the morning. 
A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih directed the Delhi police commissioner to immediately inform all the stakeholders concerned about the ban order and ensure no sale and manufacture of crackers.
&ldquo;We direct the Delhi police commissioner to form a special cell to ensure effective implementation of the ban on firecrackers. We direct Delhi police commissioner to file a personal affidavit putting on record the steps taken by them to enforce ban,&rdquo; it said.
The top court pulled up the Delhi government for delay in imposition of the ban on firecrackers till October 14, when the order of ban was issued.
&ldquo;The right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Prima facie, we are of the view that no religion promotes any activity that promotes pollution or compromises with health of the people,&rdquo; remarked the bench.
Furthermore, the apex court asked the Delhi government to decide before November 25 on a &ldquo;perpetual&rdquo; firecracker ban after consulting stakeholders.
Delhi&rsquo;s air quality plunged to &lsquo;hazardous&rsquo; levels with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 481 at 7 am on Monday, classified as &lsquo;severe-plus&rsquo;. This alarming level has severe health implications, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for dense fog. The fog has further exacerbated the situation by significantly reducing visibility. The combination of fog and toxic air has affected flight and train operations, causing widespread delays.
Visibility in the capital plummeted, with Palam recording just 150 metres at 5 am, grounding flight operations and significantly affecting rail services. Trains across the region were delayed, affecting passengers. 
Despite stringent measures to curb pollution, Delhi remains engulfed in smog, with locals describing the city as a &ldquo;gas chamber&rdquo;. The situation has worsened leaving citizens struggling to breathe in the toxic air. The cold wave has also arrived, compounding the health crisis.
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The Supreme Court also called out the Delhi govt over delay in imposing firecracker ban

Orders special cell formation; heavy smog affects train, flight operations

SC Raps Delhi Police for Lax Cracker Ban as Air Quality Deteriorates

Orders special cell formation; heavy smog affects train, flight operations

November 18, 2024 | 14:12 IST