National Green Tribunal
Satish Govind vs President And Secretary Windsor Park ... on 18 October, 2021
Author: Adarsh Kumar Goel
Bench: Adarsh Kumar Goel
Item No. 07 (Court No. 1)
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI
(By Video Conferencing)
Original Application No. 242/2021
Satish Govind Applicant
Versus
President and Secretary, Windsor Park
Residents Welfare Association & Anr. Respondent(s)
Date of hearing: 18.10.2021
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ADARSH KUMAR GOEL, CHAIRPERSON
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHIR AGARWAL, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE BRIJESH SETHI, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. NAGIN NANDA, EXPERT MEMBER
Applicant: Mr. Satish Govind, Applicant in person
ORDER
1. Grievance in this application is against violation of air quality norms by operation of diesel generators by the Management Board of the Windsor Park Residents Welfare Association (WPRWA) at Ghaziabad, UP.
It is stated that Windsor Park society has 12 towers of 10 to 23 floors, but the chimneys of all the DG sets end right above the DG sets and thereby all the exhaust emissions are released at the ground floor level.
The chimneys are not extended to above the roof heights of the residential towers. Windsor Park Society has about 770 apartments.
Many residents, particularly those living on the lower floors in all the towers, have been suffering for many years on account of this pollution.
Many residents have complained to the Management Board of WPRWA verbally in meetings and in the Windsor Park social media forums to take 1 action to control such pollution, but the WPRWA has not taken any action.
2. We have heard the applicant in person and perused the application and documents annexed.
3. Potential for air pollution by diesel generator sets is well known.
This requires effective safeguards and regulation by the statutory authorities for protection of public health and enforcement of rule of law.
Air Act empowers the PCBs to take remedial action against operation of DG sets violating air quality norms. Penal code makes pollution generated thereby criminal offence and action can also be taken under section 133 CrPC by the Executive Magistrates, it appears that adequate remedial action is not being taken. Apart from the said provisions, Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been notified by the Central Government for the NCR and approved by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, providing that the diesel generators cannot be operated when the air quality in NCR is very poor and above, normally between 15th October to 15th March. The relevant part of the GRAP is reproduced below:
Very Poor (ambient PM2.5 OR Agency responsible/Implementing PM10 concentration value is Agency between 121-250 ug/m3 or 351 ug/m3 respectively Stop use of diesel generator sets Chairpersons Delhi Pollution Control Committee, State Pollution Control Boards of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh
4. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) of Government of India also envisages replacement of DG sets by gas operated generators and retrofitting of existing generators.
25. This Tribunal has also considered the issue of air pollution by generators in several matters including O.A. No. 681/2018, In Re: News item published in "The Times of India" Authored by Shri Vishwa Mohan Titled "NCAP with multiple timelines to clean air in 102 cities to be released around August 15". The Tribunal directed constitution of Air Quality Monitoring Committees in all States/UTs to prepare and execute action plan for control of air pollution taking into account all pollution sources, including DG sets. In pursuance of order of this Tribunal dated 6.8.2019, statutory orders have been issued by some of the State PCBs.1 For Ghaziabad and Noida DG sets have been banned in the manner mentioned in the orders in public domain.2 Similar orders have been issued by many other PCBs.3
6. Orders passed by the Tribunal include direction for Data Grid for better planning and monitoring. Reference was also made to direction on the subject of constituting mechanism in all States similar to task force under the GRAP for NCR. The Tribunal noted that GRAPs were prepared outside NCR also by various States. Extracts from the order dated 8.4.2021 in the said matter, passed in continuation of earlier orders, are reproduced below:
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4. Categories of air quality and its adverse health effect can be noticed from following tables extracted from the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Arjun Gopal & Ors. v. UOI & Ors.4:
Table 1 AQI Associated Health Impacts 1 Vide order dated 25.6.2020 Haryana PCB directed that all DG sets with capacity of 500KVA must retrofit emissions control equipments having minimum specified capturing efficiengcy of 70% https://hspcb.gov.in/content/Consent_Policy_Procedure/NCAP-DG-Sets_25.06.2020.pdf 2 https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/delhi-noida-ghaziabad-diesel-genset-ban-people-high-rises-suffer- face-problem-658249 3 https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2021/sep/27/pollution-control-devices-mandatory-for-
generators-inkarnataka-2364165.html 4 (2017) 1 SCC 412 3 Good Minimal impact. (0-50) Satisfactory May cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people. (51-100) Moderately May cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such as asthma, polluted and discomfort to people with heart disease, children and older adults. (101-200) Poor May cause breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure, and (201-300) discomfort to people with heart disease. Very Poor May cause respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. Effect may (301-400) be more pronounced in people with lung and heart diseases. Severe May May cause respiratory impact even on healthy people, and serious health (401-500) impacts on people with lung/heart disease. The health impacts may be
experienced even during light physical activity.
Table 2 AQI Category, Pollutants and Health Breakpoints AQI category PM10 24- PM2.5 24- NO2 24- O3 8- CO 8-hr SO2 24- NH3 2 Pb (Range) hr hr hr hr (mg/m3) hr 4-hr 24-hr Good (0-50) 0-50 0-30 0-40 0-50 0-1.0 0-40 0-200 0-0.5 Satisfactory 51-100 31-60 41-80 51-100 1.1-2.0 41-80 201- 0.5-
(51-100) 400 1.0
Moderately 101-250 61-90 81-180 101- 2.1-10 81-380 401- 1.1-
polluted (101- 168 800 2.0
200)
Poor (201-300) 251-350 91-120 181-280 169- 10-17 381- 801- 2.1-
208 800 1200 3.0
Very poor (301- 351-430 121-250 281-400 209- 17-34 801- 1200- 3.1-
400) 748* 1600 1800 3.5
Severe (401- 430+ 250+ 400+ 748+* 34+ 1600+ 1800+ 3.5+
500)
5. The Air Act stipulates stopping of any activity violating norms of air quality and taking steps for prosecution or other regulatory measures5 which have been read to include recovery of compensation on 'Polluter Pays' principle6. National Ambient Air Quality Standards are laid down under Section 16(2)(h) of the Air Act. Notification dated 18.11.2009, issued by the CPCB is as follows:
"In exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-section (2) (h) of section 16 of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (Act No. 14 of 1981), and in super session of the Notification No(s). S.O. 384(E), dated 11th April, 1994 and S.O. 935(E), dated 14th October, 1998, the Central Pollution Control Board hereby notify the National Ambient Air Quality Standards with immediate effect, namely:-5
Section 22 read with Section 31A of the Air Act and 6 Aryavart Foundation Vs. M/s Vapi Green Enviro Limited & Ors. O.A No. 95/2018, Indian Council for Enviro Legal Action & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. (1996) 3 SCC 212 Para 16, Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India & Ors. (1996) 5 SCC 647 Para 12 to 18 - holding that 'Polluter Pay' principle is accepted principle and part of environmental law of the country, even without specific statute.
4 NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS Concentration in Ambient Air Time Industrial, Ecologically S. Methods of Pollutant Weighted Residential, sensitive area No. Measurement average Rural and (notified by Other Area Central Govt.) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Annual* 50 20 Improved West and Sulphur Dioxide Geake 1 (SO2), mg/m3 24 hours** 80 80 Ultraviolet fluorescence Modified Jacob & Annual* 40 30 Hochheiser (Na- Nitrogen Dioxide 2 Arsenite) (NO2), mg/m3 24 hours** 80 80 Chemiluminescence Particulate Matter Annual* 60 60 Gravimetric (size less than 10 3 TOEM mm) or 24 hours** 100 100 PM10mg/m3 Beta attenuation Particulate Matter Annual* 40 40 Gravimetric (size less than 2.5 4 TOEM microns) or PM2.5 24 hours** 60 60 mg/m3 Beta attenuation 8 hours ** 100 100 UV photometric 5 Ozone (O3) mg/m3 Chemiluminescence 1 hour ** 180 180 Chemical method Annual* 0.5 0.5 ASS / ICP method after sampling on EPM 2000 or equivalent 6 Lead (Pb) mg/m3 filter paper 24 hours** 1.0 1.0 ED - XRF using Teflon filter Carbon Monoxide 8 hours** 2 2 Non Dispersive Infra RED 7 (CO) mg/m3 (NDIR) Spectroscopy 1 hour** 4 4 Ammonia (NH3) Annual* 100 100 C 8 mg/m3 he 24 hours** 400 400 mi lu Gas mi chro Benzene (C6H6) ne mat 9 Annual* 5 5 sc mg/m3 ogr en aph yce Benzo (a) Pyrene Indophenol blue method Solvent extraction followed bas (BaP) - by HPLC / GC analysised 10 particulate phase Annual* 1 1 cont only ng/m3 inuo us Arsenic (As) AAS / ICP method ana after 11 ng/m3 Annual* 6 6 sampling on EPM lyse 2000 or equivalent filter paper r Ads orpt ion and des orpt ion 5follo wed by GC ana AAS / ICP method after 12 Nickel (Ni) ng/m3 Annual* 20 20 sampling on EPM 2000 or equivalent filter paper * Annual arithmetic mean of minimum 104 measurements
in a year at a particular site taken twice a week 24 hourly at uniform intervals.
** 24 hourly or 8 hourly or 1 hourly monitored values, as applicable, shall be complied with 98% of the time in a year. 2% of the time, they may exceed the limits but not on two consecutive days of monitoring.
Note: Whenever and wherever monitoring results on two consecutive days of monitoring exceed the limits specified above for the respective category, it shall be considered adequate reason to institute regular or continuous monitoring and further investigation."
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9. In M.C. Mehta v. UOI, it was observed:
"1. The urgency for protection and improvement of the environment etc. has not been doubted for a long time. After the Stockholm Conference, 1972, in India several legislative steps have been taken for implementation of the programme. In addition to Article 47 in Part IV of the Constitution which imposes a duty on the State to improve the public health mentioned as one of the primary duties. Article 48A was inserted by the Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976 with effect from 3-1- 1977 expressly to the effect that "the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country". Thereafter, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (the Act) was enacted to provide for the protection and improvement of the environment and for matters connected therewith. The Statement of Objects and Reasons emphasises the world-wide concern over the decline in environmental quality and the urgency of steps required for the protection and improvement of the environment. It is clear that the possibility of any deterioration in the environmental quality was excluded and emphasis at the minimum was on protection with the endeavour to improve the then existing state of environmental quality. Any further decline in the environmental quality at least after the enactment of the Act is undoubtedly a failure to perform this obligation by the State, contrary to the constitutional scheme.
2. It cannot be disputed by anyone that there has been considerable further decline in the environmental quality even after enactment of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, notwithstanding the resolve to prevent which the constitutional amendment was given effect to by enactment of the statute.6
3. Even a cursory perusal of the provisions of the enactment reveal the emphasis on the need for not mere protection but also improvement of the environmental quality. The definitions including that of "environment" in Section 2 of the Act, the extent of the powers of the Central Government in Section 3 and the further power to give directions in Section 5 are alone sufficient to indicate the high degree of duty imposed on the State for which large powers are given to enable discharge of that duty. We may refer in particular to Sub-section (3) of Section 3 which confers powers on the Central Government to constitute an authority or authorities considered necessary or expedient by it for the purposes of this Act and the further power to give directions under Section 5.
4. In spite of a number of matters, including this writ petition of 1985 having been brought in the Court as PIL, the required attention does not appear to have been paid by the authorities concerned to take the steps necessary for discharge of this duty imposed on the State by the provisions mentioned above except for the enactment of the said statute. The least which ought to have been done in this direction was to constitute a high-power committee at the national level of eminent persons and to ensure Constitution of similar authorities at the State level in exercise of the power given by Sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Act to ensure that the object of the enactment was duly served. The several aspects of the environment which this Court is required to deal with in this writ petition are all covered not merely by the general provisions in Sub-section (1) of Section 3 but also by the specific matters specified in Sub-section (2) thereof. It is only on account of the absence of the authority/authorities contemplated under Sub-section (3) of Section 3 that this Court is required to deal with these matters in this writ petition and several other similar writ petitions pending in this Court, in addition to those which are pending in different High Courts. It is also a matter of concern that notwithstanding the pendency of these matters in this Court for so long no steps have been taken as yet by the Central Government for the Constitution of the authority/authorities contemplated by Sub-section (3) of Section 3 so that even now these matters can be taken care of by the authorities intended for the purpose.
5. It is undoubtedly a matter of universal concern that the quality of the environment continues to deteriorate even now. Any further delay in the performance of its duty by the Central Government cannot, therefore, be permitted. Suitable directions by the Court to require performance of its duty by the Central Government is mandated by the law and have, therefore, now to be given. We consider it appropriate that before issuing such directions, the Central Government should be given one more opportunity to indicate all the measures taken by it so far for discharge of the duty enjoined on it by the above provisions in Part IV of the Constitution and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
6. It need hardly be added that the duty cast on the State under Articles 47 and 48A in particular of Part IV of the Constitution is to be read as conferring a corresponding right on the citizens and, 7 therefore, the right under Article 21 at least must be read to include the same within its ambit. At this point of time, the effect of the quality of the environment on the life of the inhabitants is much too obvious to require any emphasis or elaboration.
7. We may also add that the Central Government in addition to stating all the steps taken so far, as indicated above, must also place before the Court the national policy, if any, drawn up in this behalf for the protection and improvement of the environment and the steps it proposes to take to restore the quality of the environment at least to the level at which it existed in 1977 together with the time-frame for the implementation of the programme. These particulars be furnished on the affidavit of the Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India."
CAP and GRAP for NCR
10. The Tribunal also referred to a Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP) for air pollution control for NCR prepared in pursuance of order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 06.2.2017 by the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) in consultation with the CPCB and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on 05.04.20177 and Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) notified by the MoEF&CC on 12.01.2017 stipulating specific steps for different levels of air quality such as improvement in emission and fuel quality and other measures for vehicles, strategies to reduce vehicle numbers, non-motorised transport network, parking policy, traffic management, closure of polluting power plants and industries including brick kilns, control of generator sets, open burning, open eateries, road dust, construction dust, etc.8 "11..xxx...........................xxx.....................................xxx
12. The GRAP categorises levels of pollution as severe plus, severe, very poor, moderate to poor. The action to be taken in such situations includes stopping entry of trucks, stopping construction activities, odd and even scheme of private vehicles, shutting of schools, closing of brick kilns, stone crushers, hot mix plants, power plants, intensifying public transport services, mechanized cleaning of road, and sprinkling of water, stopping the use of diesel generator sets, enhancing parking fees, etc.
13. The MoEF&CC has by various notifications put restrictions on activities in Coastal areas, Flood plains, Taj corridor Eco- sensitive zones, etc. in view of ecological sensitivity and impact of such activities on environment if such activities are 7 Report No.71, EPCA-R/2-17/L-21, Comprehensive Action Plan for air pollution control with the objective to meet ambient air quality standards in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and National Capital Region, including states of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
8S.O.118(E), Notification, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 8 carried out in unregulated areas. This needs to be extended to the NACs in view of impact on public health and environment to give effect to the 'Precautionary' and 'Sustainable Development' principles. Some of the well-known sources of air pollution are:
1. Construction activity and carriage of construction material.
2. Mining and transportation of mined material.
2. Burning of Municipal Solid Waste and other waste.
3. Burning of agriculture residue.
4 Bursting of crackers.
5. Vehicular Pollution
6. Diesel gen-sets
7. Dust on the roads.
8. Industrial and power house emissions including fly-ash.
9. Emissions from coal fired activities brick kilns, Hot-Mix Plants and Stone Crushers."
"14to29..xxx...........................xxx.....................................xxx "30. The report shows progress under 17 specific heads. With regard to installing 175 monitoring stations, it is stated that 20 new CAAQMs have been installed and 25 approved. SA and CC studies are underway. There is partial progress on shifting polluting activities out of non-conforming areas. PGRPs have been developed by several States and other States have yet to do the same. Two more cities have been added to the list of NACs and actions plans for the NACs have been mostly prepared. Status of execution of action plans is not very clear. Micro level planning has been done for some cities. Gaps in plans and execution remain to be addressed. The issue of revising NCAP and CAMPA Funds is still to be addressed. Certain steps have also been taken for control of noise pollution, including procurement of noise monitoring devices and limiters. Emergency response systems have been partly developed. Directions issued for utilizing 'Consent' and 'EC' funds and for bioremediation of legacy waste dump sites. Carrying capacity of road infrastructure to determine parking capacity is being dealt with by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Urban Development Departments. Environment Cells have been set up by some of the Chief Secretaries. The report does not indicate the reduction in pollution level in any of the NACs as a result of steps so far taken. Similarly, with regard to noise pollution control, no tangible progress has been shown. Progress on SA and CC studies is highly inadequate. Preventive and remedial measures for stubble burning need to be planned in advance for effective control of pollution. CPCB needs to undertake finger printing and bio-marker analysis along with SA studies. While the report has stated that under heading (ix) that a separate report will be filed on the subjects of modification of NCAP, utilization of CAMPA Funds by undertaking special afforestation drive, no such separate report has been filed.
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42. The data grid for continuous information will go a long way in dealing with the problem. As already noted in Para 20 above, there is need for National, State, District Environmental Data Grids giving the data of air quality. Apart from improving environment, this is necessary to enforce right of the citizens to information about air quality in different areas. Based on the level of pollution, categories of cities/districts need to be appropriately classified such as 'red', 'orange' and 'green'. Further, based on such data National Air Quality Atlas may be compiled and published on the websites of MoEF&CC, CPCB and State PCBs/PCCs and updated from time to time.
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47. Final success of execution of action plans depends on graph of reduced pollution load. This requires monitoring at highest levels in Districts, States and at the national level by coordination of all concerned departments. There is constitutional obligation of good governance and a duty to citizens to enforce their right of breathing fresh air. Absence of adequate remedial action is resulting in deaths and diseases which are like pandemic or like causing of homicide or grievous hurts with no accountability. Main sources of air pollution have been identified and remedial measures also articulated.
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52. As already mentioned, pollution free environment is part of right to life. Air pollution beyond norms seriously affects health and environment. Inspite of statutory mechanism and orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court and other Courts/Tribunal, the challenge of pollution from different sources, including vehicular pollution, industrial and construction sector pollution, power sector pollution, agriculture sector pollution remains. Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP) has been issued for National Capital Region (NCR) in pursuance of directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court stipulating steps to be taken for controlling/regulating several polluting activities depending upon the level of pollution.
53. In Arjun Gopal & Ors. v. UOI & Ors.9, it was observed that the residents of NCR faced severe air quality standards which were worst in the World. It had serious adverse health impact. Life of citizens in NCR had been brought to virtual standstill. The Capital was smoked into an environmental emergency of unseen proportions. It will be appropriate to extract some observations from the judgment:-
"4. The onset of winter and the festival/marriage season this year, presented to the residents of NCR severe concerns regarding the air quality standards. According to reports, the air quality standards in early November of this year were the worst in the world. It is reported that the PM2.5 levels recorded were 9 (2017) 1 SCC 412 10 "beyond scale" values (see India's Air Quality Among World's Worst Over Diwali Weekend: Report. 4-11-2016, Hindustan Times). The report indicates that 24-hour average of PM2.5 levels in South Delhi in 2016 were 38% higher than on the Diwali night of 2015. The day after Diwali, these levels were twice as high as the day after Diwali in 2015, crossing 650 μg/m3, which is 26 times above the WHO's standards or levels considered safe. Shockingly, on the morning of 1-11-2016, Delhi woke up to an average PM2.5 level of over 700 μg/m3 --
some of the highest levels recorded the world over and 29 times above WHO standards. The report further states that the WHO guideline for 24-hour average PM2.5 levels is 25 μg/m3 and with an annual average PM2.5 level of 122 μg/m3, Delhi's air is the worst among global megacities with dense populations. We have particularly referred to the PM 2.5 levels because of the extreme effects and near invisibility of this type of particulate matter. PM2.5 or particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that are two-and-one-half microns or less in width. It may be noted that the widths of the larger particles in the PM2.5 size range would be about thirty times smaller than that of a human hair. These particles primarily emanate from vehicle exhausts and other operations that involve the burning of fuels such as wood, heating oil or coal, and of course, use of fire crackers.
5. In India, air quality standards are measured in terms of the Air Quality Index (hereinafter "AQI"). The AQI was launched in India on 17-10-2014 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. According to the press release of the Press information Bureau of the same date, it consists of a comprehensive set of parameters to monitor and asses the air quality. The AQI considers eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb), and based on the levels of these pollutants six categories of AQI ranging from "Good" to "Severe" have been prescribed. The index also suggests the health effects of the pollution categorywise. The gradation of AQI and its health impact is extracted below:
Tables 1 and 2 have already been reproduced above and are not being repeated.
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6. Reports indicate that AQI in Delhi was much above the severe standard, shooting off the AQI 500 mark on many days this November. On the day after Diwali, it was more than 14 times the safe limits (see Delhi's Pollution Levels Peaks at 14-16 Times Safe Limits, 31-10-2016, The Hindu). The adverse health effects of these hazardous levels of pollution are only too evident from the table given above. We do not intend to refer to the multiplicity of reports and data on this front.
117. The hazardous levels of air pollution in the last few weeks have spared very few from its ill effects. The life of the citizens of NCR was brought to a virtual standstill, not to speak about the plight of the thousands of mute flora and fauna in NCR. Schools were declared shut, denizens of the city advised to stay indoors, construction activities stopped, power stations shut and ban imposed on burning of garbage and agricultural waste. The fall in air quality has had a significant impact on people's lifestyle as well. The rising costs to protect against air pollution are substantial. It has come to our notice that people are queuing up to purchase protective masks and air purification systems in the wake of dense smog all over the NCR. In short, the capital was "smogged" into an environmental emergency of unseen proportions.
8. The adverse effects of these extreme levels of air pollution spare no one -- the young, the old, the infirm and even the future generations. A study of the data of the Global Health Depository of the World Health Organisation reveals that India has the world's highest death rate from chronic respiratory diseases and that about 1.5 million people in India die annually due to indoor and outdoor pollution (see Delhi Wakes up to an Air Pollution Problem it cannot Ignore, 15-2-2015, The New York Times). The Kolkata- based Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), in a study commissioned and handed over to the Central Pollution Control Board, found that key indicators of respiratory health, lung function to palpitation, vision to blood pressure, of children in Delhi, between four and 17 years of age, were worse off than their counterparts elsewhere. It also found that more than 40% of the school children suffer from lung damage (see Landmark Study Lies Buried, 2-4-2015, The Indian Express). We note with apprehension that there are nascent studies that suggest that pollution can lower children's IQ, hurt their test scores and increase the risks of autism, epilepsy, diabetes and even adult-onset diseases like multiple sclerosis (see Holding Your Breath in India, 29- 5-2015, The New York Times).
9. It has been brought to our notice that the severe air pollution in the NCR is leading to multiple diseases and other health related issues amongst the people. It is said that the increase in respiratory diseases like asthma, lung cancer, bronchitis, etc. is primarily attributable to the worsening air quality in the NCR. The damage being caused to people's lungs is said to be irreversible. Other health related issues like allergies, temporary deafness are also on the rise. Various experts have pointed towards multiple adverse effects of air pollution on human health like premature deaths, rise in mortality rates, palpitation, loss of vision, arthritis, heart ailments, cancer, etc.
10. When we refer to these extreme effects, we are not merely referring to the inconvenience caused to people, but to 12 abject deprivation of a range of constitutionally embedded rights that the residents of NCR ought to have enjoyed. Needless to state, the grim situation of air quality adversely affected the right to education, work, health and ultimately, the right to life of the citizens, and this Court is constitutionally bound to address their grave concerns. May we remind ourselves, that this is not the first time that this Court was impelled into ensuring clean air for the citizens of the capital region (see M.C. Mehta v. Union of India [M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1998) 6 SCC 60] , [M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1998) 9 SCC 589] , M.C. Mehta v. Union of India [M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1998) 8 SCC 648] and M.C. Mehta v. Union of India [M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, (1998) 8 SCC 206] )."
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58. In the light of above detailed discussion, holistic and coordinated efforts at all levels in the government is dire need of the hour. Accountability in terms of adverse entries in the ACRs and recovery of compensation for non-compliance are imperative for fixing accountability. This requires authorities at higher level to function as trustees for discharge of constitutional and statutory obligation to the citizens. There is no other magic wand to protect people against acknowledged sorry state of affairs. As shown from the observations of Hon'ble Supreme Court quoted in para 37 above, India has world's highest death rate from chronic respiratory diseases. About 1.5 million people in India die annually due to air pollution. The Hon'ble Supreme Court also observed that 40% school children suffer from lung damage. Air pollution can lower children's IQ, hurt their test scores and increase the risks of autism, epilepsy, diabetes and even adult-onset diseases. Severe air pollution is leading to diseases and irreversible damage to health. There are other health related issues like allergies, temporary deafness. Various experts have pointed towards multiple adverse effects of air pollution on human health like premature deaths, rise in mortality rates, palpitation, loss of vision, arthritis, heart ailments, cancer, etc. This is resulting in deprivation of constitutionally embedded rights. Grim situation is affecting right to education, work, health and ultimately, the right to life of the citizens. There are further reports10 that air pollution is resulting in fatalities and 10
(i) Air pollution killed 1.7 million Indians in 2019: Lancet report:
(https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/air/amp/air-pollution-killed-1-7-million-indians-in- 2019-lancet-report-
74737#aoh=16178975512221&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20 %251%24s)
(ii) AIR POLLUTION RELATED DISEASE, DEATHS COST INDIA RS 260,000 CRORES IN ECONOMIC LOSS: REPORT (https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/air-pollution-related- disease-deaths-cost-india-rs-260000-crores-in-economic-loss-report-9159281.html)
(iii) 1.7 million deaths in India were attributable to air pollution in 2019, says study:
(https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/17-million-deaths-in-india-were-attributable-to- air-pollution-in-2019-says-study/article33394600.ece) 13 economic losses. Remedial action is thus utmost for protecting health of the citizens.
59. The matter has been monitored by the Tribunal for about two and a half years. Primarily the Tribunal is an adjudicatory body and beyond giving directions necessary for protection of environment under section 15 of the NGT Act, execution has to be by administrative authorities. Under public trust doctrine, the State authorities are under obligation to take effective measures to control pollution. Tribunal monitoring cannot be for indefinite period. Road map has crystalised to an extent. The Tribunal has formulated direction and conducted review five times with the assistance of data available with it. The ownership of monitoring must be now taken over by the statutory and administrative authorities for enforcement of rule of law for which a national level task force needs to be constituted. Thus, we find it necessary to give effect to the principle of Sustainable Development, in the interest of protection of environment and public health, to direct constitution of an eight-member National Task Force (NTF) to be headed and coordinated by the Secretary MoEF&CC with nominees of Ministries from Housing and Urban Development, Road Transport, Petroleum, Power, Agriculture, Health and CPCB with a view to monitor remedial steps to improve the status of air quality in NACs consistent with the action plans already prepared and approved by the Expert Committee and directions of this Tribunal, referred to above and also to monitor compliance of noise control norms. The NTF may hold its first meeting within one month and thereafter evolve mechanism for monitoring by quarterly meetings with Chief Secretaries of concerned States/UTs. The NTF may coordinate and work in tandem with the Committees already constituted under NCAP at National and State levels. Needless to say that the Chief Secretaries must continue to monitor progress in execution of action plans at State level with the assistance of monitoring cells in their offices and the AQMCs so as to effectively provide positive feedback to the NTF. The State level monitoring must include action at the ground as per directions to be implemented by the District Magistrates or other concerned departments. The monitoring may include all associated issues, including road dust control by appropriate sprinkling of water (utilizing treated water, instead of potable water), planting herbs and shrubs, and all sources of pollution, including fire crackers."
7. In view of above, apart from taking action for enforcement of GRAP for stopping the functioning of Diesel Generator Sets when air quality is
(iv) Air pollution in India caused 1.67 million deaths in 2019: (https://www.news- medical.net/news/20201223/Air-pollution-in-India-caused-167-million-deaths-in-2019.aspx)
(v) Air pollution caused 54,000 deaths, $8.1 billion loss in Delhi in 2020 :
(https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/air-pollution-claimed-54000-lives- in-delhi-last-year-one-death-per-500-people-claims-greenpeace-study/story/431766.html) 14 very poor and above, there is need for adopting safeguards in view of potential for pollution to maintain the air quality standards. DG sets have to comply with the notified Emissions and Noise standards and maintain stack heights. This is more so when meteorological conditions result in hazy situation caused inter alia by dust and bursting of crackers during winter, as noted in orders of this Tribunal dated 1.12.2020 in OA 249/20 and dated 3.12.20 in OA 283/20. There is thus need for the statutory authorities to keep constant watch on air quality and take necessary remedial action as per law.
8. Accordingly, the CPCB, State PCB and the District Magistrate, Ghaziabad may take further remedial action to ensure compliance of air quality and noise standards in the operation of that Diesel Generator Sets. The State PCB will be the nodal agency for compliance and coordination. The State PCB may also take remedial action against operation of DG sets without requisite consent. If allowed to operate, DG sets must adopt suitable safeguards consistent with the provisions of the Air Act. An action taken report may be filed within one month to the Tribunal by e-mail at [email protected] preferably in the form of searchable PDF/ OCR Support PDF and not in the form of Image PDF.
List for further consideration on 18.01.2022.
A copy of this order be forwarded to the CPCB, State PCB and the District Magistrate, Ghaziabad by e-mail for compliance.
The applicant may serve a set of papers on the members of the joint committee and the contesting parties (the DG set operators) and file affidavit of service within one week.
Adarsh Kumar Goel, CP 15 Sudhir Agarwal, JM Brijesh Sethi, JM Dr. Nagin Nanda, EM October 18, 2021 Original Application No. 242/2021 SN 16