The Supreme Court on Monday declined to urgently list an interim application that sought the immediate and phased enforcement of the World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines to address the escalating pollution crisis in Delhi.

The request for urgent listing was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria.

Counsel appearing in the ongoing Delhi-NCR pollution matter stated that the application sought directions for the “immediate adoption and phased implementation of WHO measures” for air quality control.

When the CJI asked who had filed the application, counsel replied that it was submitted by an advocate specializing in environmental law.

Responding, the CJI remarked, “There are sufficient lawyers with environmental expertise already appearing in this matter.”

The counsel then requested that the application be listed on the next day, when the Court is scheduled to hear the MC Mehta environmental case concerning Delhi’s air quality. The CJI declined the request, responding, “Not necessary.”

The bench is slated to hear the Delhi-NCR pollution issue on November 12 as part of long-running proceedings in the MC Mehta v. Union of India case.

Earlier, the bench had been informed about reports indicating that several air monitoring stations in the capital were non-functional. The Court had accordingly directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to file an affidavit detailing preventive and corrective steps being taken.

On October 14, the Court had temporarily eased the complete ban on firecrackers in the National Capital Region, permitting “green” firecrackers for Diwali under regulated conditions.

Case Title: MC Mehta v. Union of India, WP (C) No. 13029/1985