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The problem of environmental pollution is global in a increasingly small world and concerns all countries irrespective of their size, level of development or ideology. Notwithstanding political division of the world into national units, the oceanic world in an inter-connected whole; the winds that blow over the countries are also one. Pollution is capable of moving from continent to continent. If USSR carries out a nuclear test, the fall-out may be carried by the winds to any part of the world and such fall- out or irresponsible disposal of radio-active waste from a remote energy plant in one country may turn out to have greater adverse effect on the neighbouring countries that the danger of full-fledged war. Informed public mind is already agitated over the polluting effect of the Gulf War and the common concern of the entire homosapien race is obsessed by the apprehension of acid rain, toxic effect on the seas and even on the atmosphere.

A brief extract from the journal entitled `Environmetal Policy & law' vol. 13 nos. 1-2 Spring 1983) published from North-Holland describes the problem thus:

"It became clear that all these measures are not themselves sufficient to come to grips with the problem of air pollution caused by road traffic. In every one of the towns and cities, the problem of air pollution from motor vehicle traffic is a considerable one, and it was more or less generally apparent that present norms for motor vehicle exhausts are not adequate so as to achieve the necessary reductions in a rapid space of time. In fact, the problem is, in part, on the increase. This is not only true of private cars, especially diesel-powered vehicles, but also of commercial vehicles ..."

In course of the hearing of this matter we had called upon counsel to look at the problem not as an adversial litigation but to come forward with useful deliberations so that something concreate could finally emerge for easing the situation. We were shown some literature and even gadgets which might help reduction of pollution. The question of eliminating use of motor spirit and replacement of battery operated two-wheelers was also mooted. The Association of Indian Automobile Manufacturers had made an application for intervention and was present in Court. Some of the aspects which came up for discussion were indeed sufficiently technical. Some other aspects require laboratory testing and probe into efficacy. Therefore, the question of setting up of a high-powered committee was also mooted. We are happy to find that the deliberations in course of the hearing have taken a concreate shape and the Ministry of Environment & Forests has ultimately instructed the learned Attorney General in writing (copy placed on the record) that a Committee could be set up by the Court to look into the problem of vehicular pollution in Delhi and for devising methods of solution of the problem. The Ministry has agreed that a retired Judge of this Court could act as Chairman and has suggested that Shri M.C. Mehta, the petitioner herein and Shri. N.S. Tiwana, Chairman of he Central Pollution Control Board may be made the Members of the Committee. We find this suggestion of the Ministry acceptable subject to certain modification. We are inclined to take the view that Shri Sudhakar Girdharlal Shah representing the Association of Indian Automobile Manufacturers could be taken as a member of the Committee and the Committee would also have the power to co-opt experts not exceeding three for its efficient working from time to time. Shri Justice K.N. Saikia who has recently retired as a Judge of this Court is appointed as the Chairman of the Committee with Shri N.S. Tiwana, Shri M.C. Mehta and Shri. S.G. Shah as Members. The Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forests shall be the convenor Secretary of the Committee. Shri Justice Saikia shall be entitled to all the benefits to which a retired Judge of this Court while called back to duty is entitled.