Supreme Court Urges Delhi-NCR Schools to Delay Sports Events as Air Pollution Worsens

Amid Delhi’s worsening air pollution crisis, the Supreme Court on Wednesday urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider advising schools across Delhi-NCR to postpone all sports events scheduled for November and December. The bench observed that exposing children to the current pollution levels could be hazardous and suggested that such activities be held once the air quality improves.

The Court also directed that cases related to air pollution be listed regularly every month to ensure ongoing oversight. Authorities, the bench said, must take proactive steps to curb deteriorating air conditions while balancing the concerns of all stakeholders involved.

Construction Workers to Receive Financial Relief

In the ongoing pollution matter, the Supreme Court ordered that construction workers who lost wages due to the enforcement of GRAP-3 restrictions in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan be provided with subsistence allowance. The bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai instructed the state governments to continue implementing preventive measures and review them periodically.

Delhi’s AQI Jumps Back to ‘Very Poor’

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on Wednesday, with the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) rising to 388, according to the Sameer app—pushing the capital back into the “very poor” category.

On Tuesday, the AQI stood at 341 in the morning and climbed to 374 by evening. Several areas slipped into the “severe” zone (AQI above 400), including:

• Wazirpur – 447
• Bawana – 444
• Jahangirpuri – 442
• Chandni Chowk – 438
• Vivek Vihar – 436
• Ashok Vihar – 433
• Rohini – 426
• Narela – 425
• Punjabi Bagh – 420
• Anand Vihar – 417

Other locations such as Patparganj (396), Dwarka Sector 8 (385), ITO (381), Mandir Marg (377), and Najafgarh (365) remained in the “very poor” category.

Only one monitoring station—IITM Lodhi Road—reported a lower AQI reading of 237, falling into the “poor” range.

Public Protest Over Rising Pollution

As frustration grows, nearly 100 people—including students, professionals, and Delhi residents—gathered at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday to protest what they described as government inaction over the city’s declining air quality. Demonstrators demanded urgent, transparent measures to address Delhi’s chronic pollution crisis.