The Supreme Court on Wednesday (November 19) asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider directing schools across the Delhi-NCR region to postpone sports and athletic events scheduled for November–December, and to hold them instead during months with safer air quality levels.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran issued the request after concerns were raised over conducting outdoor sports activities at a time when the Air Quality Index in the region has dropped to hazardous levels.

Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, serving as amicus curiae, told the bench that numerous NCR schools are planning to conduct their annual sports meets in November despite severe pollution. “Children are the most vulnerable; making them participate now is like exposing them to gas chambers,” she cautioned.

Taking note of the submission, the Court urged CAQM to examine the issue and consider issuing suitable directions to reschedule such events to safer months. The bench was also told that the Delhi High Court is set to hear a petition on the same subject later in the afternoon. The Supreme Court said the High Court may pass appropriate orders as it finds necessary.

The direction was issued in the ongoing MC Mehta matter, in which the Court monitors air pollution concerns in the NCR.