Supreme Court terms vehicular emissions major contributor to air pollution in Delhi-NCR

New Delhi The Supreme Court on Friday (November 6, 2026) termed vehicular emissions a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi-NCR and said immediate, medium- and long-term measures were needed to curb the rising air quality index. Hearing a suo motu case examining the regulatory framework governing air pollution, a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana also expressed concern over “bumper-to-bumper” traffic in Delhi-NCR. “We keep talking and sometimes make statements and suggestions, but the point is that AQI is already touching 400,” the CJI said. The Bench highlighted the large number of vehicles plying on roads connecting Delhi with neighbouring areas, including Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad. “Look at the roads in Delhi and the roads connecting Delhi with the NCR. Take a look at any road and the kind of vehicles moving on it.