On Friday, July 26, the Supreme Court recommended deploying remote sensing technology in the National Capital Region (NCR) to tackle vehicular pollution. The court directed the Centre to make a decision on this matter within two months.
A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice AG Masih instructed the Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to immediately organise a meeting with NCR state counterparts to discuss the implementation. The order mandates that copies be sent to NCR authorities to secure their cooperation.
Acknowledging that the issue had been pending for four years, the court stated, “Somewhere a beginning has to be made by commencing the use of remote sensing technology. Therefore, to begin with, it will be appropriate that the use of technology can commence in NCR areas.”
MoRTH is expected to seek cooperation from NCR authorities and can approach the court for further instructions if non-cooperation occurs.
The suggestion for remote sensing technology was initially made by Amicus Curiae Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh on July 15. This was based on Report No. 99 from the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) dated July 26, 2019, which highlighted the limitations of Pollution Under Control (PUC) tests and recommended remote sensing as an additional measure.
On August 19, 2019, the court had directed MoRTH and the Law Ministry to make a final decision and file a status report. However, the recent report was found disappointing by the Amicus Curiae Aparajita Singh, as the Ministry did not adopt the remote sensing technology suggestion.
The court emphasised the need for MoRTH to seriously consider using remote sensing technology for pollution control. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the Ministry would reconsider the recommendation.
