NGT has directed all states/UTs to initiate drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of potential of aggravation of COVID-19
“This direction is on the pattern of the direction of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in (2019) 13 SCC 523 which we are applying to areas moderately polluted or below air quality due to aggravated effect during Covid-19, as already noted. If nothing is specified by the State, timing will be 8 to 10 pm on Diwali and Gurupurb, 6 am to 8 am on Chatt and 11.55 pm to 12.30 am during Christmas and New year eve (which have yet to come and do not fall in November but if ban continues) and not otherwise,” the tribunal said.
A bench of NGT Chairperson, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel (retired) issued the order after hearing, on November 5, amicus curiae senior advocates Raj Panjwani and Mahesh Jethmalani along with lawyers appearing for the Union Environment Ministry, Central Pollution Control Board and the lawyers for various states and Union Territories.
Earlier, last week, the NGT sent out notices to 23 states and Union territories, where the quality of air has deteriorated beyond standards. The NGT sought their response on whether the use and sale firecrackers be banned for the period from November 7 to November 30 in order to protect public health amid the double whammy of high air pollution and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.