Impose 2-day lockdown, how will we live otherwise: CJI tells Delhi govt on pollution crisis

The Supreme Court on Saturday said the Central government should consider a two-day lockdown in the national capital if necessary, in order to bring down the pollution level in Delhi-NCR. The statement by the top court came while hearing a plea.

The plea was filed in SC by 17-year-old Delhi student Aditya Dubey concerning rising levels of air pollution in the city. A special bench of CJI NV Ramana, Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justice Suryakant heard the petition on Saturday.

The court said: "Tell us how we can reduce AQI from 500 by at least 200 points. Take some urgent measures. Can you think of two days lockdown or something? How can people live?"

The SC has asked the centre and states to submit their response by Monday.

Meanwhile, the air quality in Delhi remained in the 'severe' category on Saturday morning, with the AQI being recorded at 473. The air quality index of neighbouring areas of Noida and Gurgaon was recorded at 587 and 557 respectively.

The overall air quality index of Delhi was recorded at 473 at 10 am. In Delhi, the air quality index of Lodhi Road, Delhi University, IIT Delhi, Pusa Road l, and Delhi airport was recorded at 489, 466, 474 and 480 and 504 respectively, according to SAFAR.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.