Arjun Gopal And Others v. Union Of India And Others

Order

1. The petitioners have approached this Court seeking emergent reliefs in relation to the extreme air pollution in the National Capital Region (hereinafter “NCR”).

2. We have heard Mr K.K Venugopal and Ms Vibha Datta Makhija, learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners and Mr C.A Sundaram, learned Senior Counsel for the respondent. The petitioner has sought wide-ranging reliefs against the use of fireworks (including fire crackers), prevention of harmful crop burning, dumping of malba and further steps towards environmental purity. We have, however, restricted this order to grant of interim relief in respect of fireworks.

3. The primary contention of the petitioners is that the use of fireworks in the NCR has posed a serious problem to the inhability of the air during Diwali and the wedding season. According to the petitioners, the problem has reached proportions in the NCR which are not tolerable and are causing immense harm to the peace, well-being and health, both physical and mental. In fairness, we must say that there was no serious opposition to the impact of fireworks on the ambient air and the unhealthy effects of fireworks on it. The opposition was mainly about the total banning of fireworks in all circumstances.

4. The onset of winter and the festival/marriage season this year, presented to the residents of NCR severe concerns regarding the air quality standards. According to reports, the air quality standards in early November of this year were the worst in the world. It is reported that the PM 2.5 levels recorded were “beyond scale” values (see India's Air Quality Among World's Worst Over Diwali Weekend: Report. 4-11-2016, Hindustan Times). The report indicates that 24-hour average of PM 2.5 levels in South Delhi in 2016 were 38% higher than on the Diwali night of 2015. The day after Diwali, these levels were twice as high as the day after Diwali in 2015, crossing 650 μg/m, which is 26 times above the WHO's standards or levels considered safe. Shockingly, on the morning of 1-11-2016, Delhi woke up to an average PM 2.5 level of over 700 μg/m — some of the highest levels recorded the world over and 29 times above WHO standards. The report further states that the WHO guideline for 24-hour average PM 2.5 levels is 25 μg/m and with an annual average PM 2.5 level of 122 μg/m, Delhi's air is the worst among global megacities with dense populations. We have particularly referred to the PM 2.5 levels because of the extreme effects and near invisibility of this type of particulate matter. PM 2.5 or particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that are two-and-one-half microns or less in width. It may be noted that the widths of the larger particles in the PM 2.5 size range would be about thirty times smaller than that of a human hair. These particles primarily emanate from vehicle exhausts and other operations that involve the burning of fuels such as wood, heating oil or coal, and of course, use of fire crackers.

5. In India, air quality standards are measured in terms of the Air Quality Index (hereinafter “AQI”). The AQI was launched in India on 17-10-2014 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. According to the press release of the Press information Bureau of the same date, it consists of a comprehensive set of parameters to monitor and asses the air quality. The AQI considers eight pollutants (PM 10, PM 2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb), and based on the levels of these pollutants six categories of AQI ranging from “Good” to “Severe” have been prescribed. The index also suggests the health effects of the pollution categorywise. The gradation of AQI and its health impact is extracted below:

Table 1

AQI Associated Health Impacts Good (0-50) Minimal impact. Satisfactory (51-100) May cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people. Moderately polluted (101-200) May cause breathing discomfort to people with lung disease such as asthma, and discomfort to people with heart disease, children and older adults.

Poor (201-300) May cause breathing discomfort to people on prolonged exposure, and discomfort to people with heart disease. Very Poor (301-400) May cause respiratory illness to the people on prolonged exposure. Effect may be more pronounced in people with lung and heart diseases. Severe May (401-500) May cause respiratory impact even on healthy people, and serious health impacts on people with lung/heart disease. The health impacts may be experienced even during light physical activity.

Table 2

AQI Category, Pollutants and Health Breakpoints AQI category (Range) PM10 24-hr PM2.5 24-hr NO2 24-hr O3 8-hr CO 8-hr (mg/m3) SO2 24-hr NH3 24-hr Pb 24-hr Good (0-50) 0-50 0-30 0-40 0-50 0-1.0 0-40 0-200 0-0.5 Satisfactory (51-100) 51-100 31-60 41-80 51-100 1.1-2.0 41-80 201-400 0.5-1.0 Moderately polluted (101-200) 101-250 61-90 81-180 101-168 2.1-10 81-380 401-800 1.1-2.0 Poor (201-300) 251-350 91-120 181-280 169-208 10-17 381-800 801-1200 2.1-3.0 Very poor (301-400) 351-430 121-250 281-400 209-748* 17-34 801-1600 1200-1800 3.1-3.5 Severe (401-500) 430+ 250+ 400+ 748+* 34+ 1600+ 1800+ 3.5+

6. Reports indicate that AQI in Delhi was much above the severe standard, shooting off the AQI 500 mark on many days this November. On the day after Diwali, it was more than 14 times the safe limits (see Delhi's Pollution Levels Peaks at 14-16 Times Safe Limits, 31-10-2016, The Hindu). The adverse health effects of these hazardous levels of pollution are only too evident from the table given above. We do not intend to refer to the multiplicity of reports and data on this front.

7. The hazardous levels of air pollution in the last few weeks has spared very few from its ill effects. The life of the citizens of NCR was brought to a virtual standstill, not to speak about the plight of the thousands of mute flora and fauna in NCR. Schools were declared shut, denizens of the city advised to stay indoors, construction activities stopped, power stations shut and ban imposed on burning of garbage and agricultural waste. The fall in air quality has had a significant impact on people's lifestyle as well. The rising costs to protect against air pollution are substantial. It has come to our notice that people are queuing up to purchase protective masks and air purification systems in the wake of dense smog all over the NCR. In short, the capital was “smogged” into an environmental emergency of unseen proportions.

8. The adverse effects of these extreme levels of air pollution spare no one — the young, the old, the infirm and even the future generations. A study of the data of the Global Health Depository of the World Health Organisation reveals that India has the world's highest death rate from chronic respiratory diseases and that about 1.5 million people in India die annually due to indoor and outdoor pollution (see Delhi Wakes up to an Air Pollution Problem it cannot Ignore, 15-2-2015, The New York Times). The Kolkata-based Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), in a study commissioned and handed over to the Central Pollution Control Board, found that key indicators of respiratory health, lung function to palpitation, vision to blood pressure, of children in Delhi, between four and 17 years of age, were worse off than their counterparts elsewhere. It also found that more than 40% of the school children suffer from lung damage (see Landmark Study Lies Buried, 2-4-2015, The Indian Express). We note with apprehension that there are nascent studies that suggest that pollution can lower children's IQ, hurt their test scores and increase the risks of autism, epilepsy, diabetes and even adult-onset diseases like multiple sclerosis (see Holding Your Breath in India, 29-5-2015, The New York Times).

9. It has been brought to our notice that the severe air pollution in the NCR is leading to multiple diseases and other health related issues amongst the people. It is said that the increase in respiratory diseases like asthma, lung cancer, bronchitis, etc. is primarily attributable to the worsening air quality in the NCR. The damage being caused to people's lungs is said to be irreversible. Other health related issues like allergies, temporary deafness are also on the rise. Various experts have pointed towards multiple adverse effects of air pollution on human health like premature deaths, rise in mortality rates, palpitation, loss of vision, arthritis, heart ailments, cancer, etc.

10. When we refer to these extreme effects, we are not merely referring to the inconvenience caused to people, but to abject deprivation of a range of constitutionally embedded rights that the residents of NCR ought to have enjoyed. Needless to state, the grim situation of air quality adversely affected the right to education, work, health and ultimately, the right to life of the citizens, and this Court is constitutionally bound to address their grave concerns. May we remind ourselves, that this is not the first time that this Court was impelled into ensuring clean air for the citizens of the capital region (see M.C Mehta v. Union of India (1998) 6 SCC 60 (1998) 9 SCC 589, M.C Mehta v. Union of India (1998) 8 SCC 648 and M.C Mehta v. Union of India (1998) 8 SCC 206).

11. During the festival/marriage season in Delhi, that is, between October and February, a report suggests that more than 40 recognised and other dangerous forms of firecrackers are used (see Fireworks Make Diwali a Dangerous Festival for All, 4-11-2015, Down to Earth). These fireworks release a deadly concoction of fumes into an almost still winter air in Delhi, causing extreme air pollution during this time. These firecrackers apart from causing acute air pollution also cause severe noise pollution. A study suggests that fireworks emit fine particles of various elements like copper, barium, strontium, magnesium and potassium, all of which are used to provide the colour and glitter to fireworks (see The Impact of Fireworks on Airborne Particles, Atmospheric Environment, Vol. 42, Issue 6, 2008, pp. 1121-32).

12. The latest report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on the ambient air quality during the Diwali period shows that air pollution across the capital has reached record levels and has become intolerable. We find that the air quality in NCR is mostly poor as per the standards prescribed by the Government of India, but it becomes much worse during Diwali. The concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 which are indicators of air quality have shown considerable increase in the region. The following tables show the actual PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels in Delhi during the Diwali 2016 period according to the CPCB report:

Table 3

PM 10 (in μg/m3) Levels in Delhi Station Pre - Diwali Diwali day 2015 2016 2015 2016 ITO 166 203 531 878 Pitampura 161 368 460 1297 Janakpuri 119 213 554 902 Parivesh Bhawan 166 324 593 1183 Dilshad Garden NA NA NA NA Shadipur NA NA NA NA NSIT, Dwarka NA NA NA NA RK Puram NA 346 NA 454 Mandir Marg NA 236 NA 428 Punjabi Bagh NA 236 NA 779 Anand Vihar NA 644 NA 1084 Average 153 321.25 534.5 875.62

Table 4

PM 2.5 (in μg/m3) Levels in Delhi Station Pre - Diwali Diwali Day 2015 2016 2015 2016 ITO NA 104 NA 797 Pitampura 117 102 435 1238 Janakpuri 84 96 459 842 Parivesh Bhawan 96 84 474 958 Dilshad Garden 78 119 192 602 Shadipur 108 62 121 474 NSIT, Dwarka 191 118 99 457 RK Puram NA 144 NA 285 Mandir Marg NA 92 NA 296 Punjabi Bagh NA 108 NA 402 Anand Vihar NA 178 NA 430 Average 112.33 109.72 296.67 616.45

13. The CPCB report indicates that air pollution levels across the region rises by about 4-5 times on Diwali as a consequence of burning of fireworks. Numerous accidents take place due to unregulated manufacture, storage and transport of fireworks resulting in substantial damage to life and property. Further, unsupervised bursting of fireworks also leads to many accidents where unfortunately most victims are children. They are a source of both, air pollution and noise pollution. Something that is meant to be a celebration seems to be destroying the peace and tranquility which is necessary for rest.

14. Grievance was made before us about the thousands, even a lakh of crackers on one string going off at night; and several such strings going off in the neighbourhood, totally unmindful of the aged, the tender and the ill. All this firework, even that which is not noisy, leaves the ambient air thick with noxious particles. Marriage processions, barats, passing through an area generated the same kind of noise and leave behind the same kind of air, by the use of fire crackers. It is not necessary to speculate if those who suffer send their good wishes for the event, or to those “celebrating” Diwali in this way.

15. We are conscious that we are dealing with time honoured ways of celebrating certain occasions. The petitioners and every member of the Bench and the Bar also celebrate in the same way. But does that justify the continuance of this manner of celebration, when the quality of air in the region is so poor and injurious to health and well-being and is destroying essential components of the freedom to live a healthy life? In any case till the quality of air improves we do not pronounce finally on this question at this stage.

16. It is however certain that, now, when the Air Quality Index in the NCR is abysmally and threateningly severe, allowing free trade in fireworks which is a major source of noise and air pollution and is causing immense harm to the lives and health of citizens, and allowing availability of such fireworks or explosives constitutes a serious invasion of the Freedoms and Rights conferred on citizens by Part III of the Constitution of India. Such an invasion is all the more deleterious towards the rights and freedom of the poor and the underprivileged who must breathe such air without any means of protecting themselves.

17. There is no doubt that protecting citizens (including those who use fireworks) by making these unavailable in the market would require the suspension of trade of a minuscule section of the population. Maybe they have acquired stocks for sale or obtained credit for their business. We are however of the view, that balancing the vital interests of the vast majority of citizens against the commercial interests of a few, the balance must heavily tilt in favour of citizens in general.

18. We are aware that we are only issuing interim directions, and much is left to be heard, discussed and said about the rival claims and contentions. What is however indisputable is the harmful effects of fireworks on the ambient air and the lungs, eyes and ears of people. What is also obvious is the extreme nuisance, noise the fireworks cause to citizens particularly the ailing and the aged. Therefore, though much can be argued as always about the significance and even joy of bursting fireworks. But at the same time, prima facie, a just constitutional balance, must overwhelmingly prioritise the harmful effects of this hazardous air on present and future generations, irreversible and imperceptible as they are, over the immediate commercial constraints of the manufacturers and suppliers of fireworks. Secondly, this Court recognises that the duty to ensure a healthy environment not only falls on the State in terms of Article 48-A of the Constitution of India but also on all citizens under Article 51-A(g) of the Constitution. This Court has previously held that fundamental duties in Part IV-A of the Constitution could be a guiding factor in testing the reasonableness of restrictions under Articles 19(2) to 19(6) of the Constitution of India (see State of Gujarat v. Mirzapur Moti Kureshi Kassab Jamat (2005) 8 SCC 534 para 58). The principle of inter-generational equity, recognised and applied by this Court in a number of decisions, beaconing us to the health and needs of the future generation, also favours the issuance of interim directions. Lastly, the precautionary principle, affirmed by this Court in Vellore Citizens' Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996) 5 SCC 647 mandates that where there are threats of serious and irreversible damage, lack of scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.

19. We thus consider it inappropriate that explosives which are used as fireworks should be available in the market in the NCR till further orders. The mechanism of the law in this regard is clear. Rule 118 1973 (2 of 1974) of the Explosive Rules, 2008 framed under the Explosives Act, 1884 provides for the manner in which licences issued under the Explosives Act to store and sell explosives could be suspended or cancelled. Sub-rule (5) thereof specifically confers on the Central Government a power to suspend or cancel a licence if it considers that it is in public interest. This provision also makes it clear that an opportunity to hear the licensee could be dispensed with if the Central Government considers that in public interest. This Court finds that the grave air quality situation in NCR is one such case, where this Court can intervene and suspend the licences to store and sell fireworks in the NCR. We direct the Central Government to:

(i) Suspend all such licences as permit sale of fireworks, wholesale and retail, within the territory of NCR.

(ii) The suspension shall remain in force till further orders of this Court.

(iii) No such licences shall be granted or renewed till further orders.

20. In addition to the above, we direct CPCB to study and prepare a report on the harmful effects of the materials which are currently being used in the manufacture of fireworks. The report shall be submitted within a period of three months to this Court.