Delhi Pollution: Supreme Court Calls for Postponement of School Sports Activities in NCR

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (November 19) asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider issuing directions to schools across the Delhi National Capital Region to postpone all sports and athletic events scheduled for November December, in view of the hazardous rise in air pollution.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, along with Justice K. Vinod Chandran, expressed concern over the conduct of outdoor sporting activities at a time when the Air Quality Index (AQI) in multiple NCR areas has dipped to severely toxic levels.

Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, appearing as amicus curiae, informed the court that many schools in the region are planning to hold sports meets this month despite the unsafe air.
Children are the most vulnerable. Allowing sports events right now is like putting them inside gas chambers, she warned.

Taking note of the alarming situation, the bench urged the CAQM to examine the issue and consider directing schools to shift the events to safer months when the air quality improves.

The court was also informed that a similar petition is scheduled to be heard by the Delhi High Court later in the afternoon. The Supreme Court said the High Court is free to pass appropriate orders in that matter as well.

The direction was issued in the ongoing MC Mehta case, in which the Supreme Court continues to monitor air pollution in the NCR.