CJI Surya Kant Confident of Long-Term Solution for Delhi’s Air Pollution

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has expressed strong confidence that a permanent solution to the persistent air pollution in Delhi-NCR will be found. Speaking on Friday, he emphasized his faith in scientific expertise and coordinated policymaking to tackle the escalating environmental and health crisis.

Faith in Experts and Science
According to reports, CJI Surya Kant highlighted that any solution to Delhi’s air pollution must be long-term and science-based, rather than temporary fixes. “I am confident that experts will find a solution to Delhi’s air pollution problem,” he stated, placing his trust in both technical expertise and policy coordination to address the recurring environmental and public health challenges.

Push for Long-Term Measures
On 17 December, the Supreme Court raised serious concerns about traffic congestion and air pollution in Delhi-NCR, questioning civic and environmental authorities’ failures. The court directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to explore the possibility of relocating nine toll booths of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to mitigate pollution. The bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, termed existing measures insufficient and stressed the need for a comprehensive, long-term plan.

Identifying the Root Causes
Earlier in November, the CJI-led bench noted that there is no “magic wand” to instantly clear smog from Delhi-NCR. He stressed the importance of identifying the underlying causes of pollution, cautioning against simplistic assumptions that the crisis stems from a single factor. Addressing the problem at its root, he suggested, is the only way to achieve sustainable air quality improvement.

With the Supreme Court’s focus and the confidence of scientific and policy experts, Delhi-NCR may finally see a lasting solution to its air pollution crisis, benefiting millions of residents and improving public health across the region.