As Delhi woke to a thick blanket of toxic smog following a night of extensive firecracker burning, former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant issued a sharp rebuke against the Supreme Court’s decision permitting the use of “green crackers.” His comments came as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Delhi-NCR region touched 351 — a level officially categorised as “very poor,” posing serious health risks for millions of residents.
In a strongly worded statement, Kant questioned the court’s prioritisation of cultural celebrations over the fundamental right to clean air. “Delhi’s air quality lies in shambles: 36 out of 38 monitoring stations have hit the ‘red zone,’ AQI is above 400 in key areas. The Hon. Supreme Court in its wisdom has prioritised the right to burn crackers over the right to live and breathe,” he wrote, calling Delhi one of the world’s most polluted capitals.
Kant, who also served as India’s G20 Sherpa in 2023, expressed frustration over the city’s recurring air quality crisis and the apparent lack of accountability in governance and enforcement. “If Los Angeles, Beijing, and London can do it, why can’t Delhi? Only ruthless and sustained execution can save Delhi from this health and environmental catastrophe,” he stated, urging authorities to abandon half-measures and adopt long-term, systemic reforms.
The remarks came a day after Diwali celebrations, during which widespread use of firecrackers negated temporary pollution control efforts. Despite multiple warnings from environmental agencies, enforcement was lax, and particulate matter spiked sharply across Delhi-NCR by dawn. Kant’s remarks reflected public outrage over the worsening situation and the perceived failure of both policy and public awareness.
However, the former NITI Aayog chief’s critique extended beyond the issue of firecrackers. He called for a comprehensive and scientifically coordinated strategy to tackle Delhi’s multi-layered pollution problem, which stems from a combination of vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and crop residue burning in neighbouring states.
“A unified action plan is vital — to end crop and biomass burning, shut or modernise thermal power plants and brick kilns with cleaner technology, shift all transport to electric by 2030, enforce strict construction dust control, ensure full waste segregation and processing, and redesign Delhi around green, walkable, transit-focused living,” Kant outlined. He stressed that piecemeal actions or seasonal interventions could no longer suffice.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had ruled that the bursting of firecrackers would be allowed in moderation — only between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., and again from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on October 19 and 20 — in an attempt to balance citizens’ rights to celebrate with the need to protect the environment. “We have to take a balanced approach, permitting it in moderation while not compromising the environment,” Chief Justice B.R. Gavai had stated while delivering the order.
But Kant’s critique highlighted the real-world consequences of that decision. Despite the restrictions, the city’s air turned toxic overnight, once again demonstrating the gap between policy intent and ground execution. His comments serve as a broader warning — that unless Delhi implements sweeping, non-negotiable reforms across transport, energy, agriculture, and urban planning, its annual winter pollution crisis will continue to cripple public health and global reputation alike.
