Story by Bahari Duniya | Written by Ranjan Sharma
New Delhi: Observing the changing lifestyle patterns contributing to rising pollution levels, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Tuesday remarked that car ownership has increasingly turned into a symbol of social status, with many people prioritising the purchase of four-wheelers over using bicycles.
The remarks were made during the hearing of a petition concerning air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.
When senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi suggested that limiting multiple car ownership could help address the pollution crisis, the Chief Justice noted that people are now consciously setting aside savings to buy cars, while abandoning more sustainable modes of transport such as cycling.
During the course of the hearing, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi pointed out that the automobile industry wields significant influence, making regulatory action difficult. Responding to this, Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that responsibility must also be shared by the affluent, stating that those who can afford luxury vehicles should consider opting for efficient electric alternatives instead.
The Supreme Court also expressed strong displeasure with the functioning of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), criticising it for seeking a two-month adjournment on the issue of temporarily shutting down or relocating toll plazas at Delhi’s borders to reduce traffic congestion.
The court remarked that the pollution watchdog appeared to lack urgency, noting an absence of seriousness in both identifying the key contributors to deteriorating air quality and implementing sustainable, long-term measures to address the problem.
The bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to hold a meeting of domain experts within two weeks and place on record a detailed report identifying the primary factors contributing to the deteriorating pollution levels.
During the proceedings, the Chief Justice reiterated concerns over changing social attitudes towards mobility, noting that car ownership has increasingly become a status symbol, with people prioritising savings for four-wheelers while moving away from non-polluting alternatives.
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The court emphasised the need for urgent, evidence-based measures to address the air quality crisis, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region.