The Supreme Court on Saturday expressed grave worry over the potential impact of Delhi's current air pollution issue on the health of schoolchildren and asked the Delhi government what efforts had been done in that respect.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice Surya Kant, and Justice DY Chandrachud questioned Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, who was representing the Delhi Government, why the government had decided to keep the schools open despite the current worrying situation.
While hearing a petition seeking immediate action to improve the national capital's deteriorating air quality, the court emphasised that the issue of schools is under the authority of the Delhi Government, and it is the Delhi Government that must act.
"You have opened all schools 2 weeks back, you are now witnessing children going to school and exposing their lungs & life to grave pollutants. Has Delhi Govt done anything to schools or they're still running? This comes under the Delhi Government's jurisdiction" Justice Chandrachud remarked.
Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra stated that he understands the situation is concerning, and that the current air quality is "equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes a day even if we don't smoke."
He undertook to represent the Court's concerns to the Delhi government. Justice Chandrachud had raised a similar worry earlier in the hearing before Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was representing the Union of India.
In response to a recent declaration by AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria, Justice Chandrachud noted that school-aged children are now being exposed to the pandemic, pollution, and dengue fever.
"Mr Mehta, look at the seriousness of problem schools have been opened now Post pandemic schools have been opened, Little children are out on the roads at 7 am to reach school in this kind of weather.
We are exposing all the little children to this! Like Dr Guleria said, the other day, there's pandemic there's pollution and there's dengue and we are exposing little children who have to go to school in this weather." Justice Chandrachud said.
Following the Supreme Court's concerns, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal convened a meeting to discuss the Delhi problem, with the Delhi government apparently deciding to close schools for a week.