CAQM failing in its duty: SC after pollution watchdog seeks two-month adjournment on toll plaza issue

Observing that the CAQM has failed to discharge its mandate, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (January 6, 2026) rapped the central pollution watchdog for seeking a two-month moratorium on temporary closure or relocation of toll plazas at Delhi borders to ease traffic congestion.

A bench of Chief Justices of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) to hold a meeting with experts within two weeks and submit a report on the root causes of worsening pollution.

“Have you been able to identify the causes of pollution? All these days a lot of material is coming in the public domain, experts are writing articles, people are getting ideas, they keep sending them to us by mail…” the Supreme Court said.

“Heavy vehicles have a large share, so the first question is how will we handle it… It is not acceptable for us to hold a meeting on January 2 and say we will come after two months. CAQM is not fulfilling its mandate,” the Bench said.

The apex court directed the CAQM to start considering long-term solutions in a phased manner and also take into consideration the toll issue without being influenced by the stance of various stakeholders.