We cannot have another gas chamber situation: HC

NEW DELHI: "We cannot have another gas chamber situation," the Delhi High Court on Friday and issued a slew of directions to the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to stop stubble burning.

A bench of Justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sunil Gaur also asked the Centre, Delhi government and the local authorities here to inform it about the latest position with regard to the steps taken for solid waste management and disposal.

The court's directions came on a PIL initiated by it in 2015 and another petition filed by a private person for addressing the issue of poor air quality in the national capital.

The order on burning of crop residue was passed by the court as this practice starts from the month of October and continues up to January, during which the air quality of these states and especially of Delhi deteriorates.

"Considering the facts on record and the submission of the parties, and given that the Kharif crop is to be harvested, there is strong likelihood that the burning of agricultural residue will be resorted to in this season as well.

"The effects of such practice can again be traumatic for most people and catastrophic for some," the bench said, while issuing the directions on burning of stubble or agricultural waste. We cannot have another gas chamber situation," the bench said as it issued directions to the states.

The bench directed the four states to "strictly" implement "in letter and spirit" the notifications issued by their respective governments under the Air Pollution Act banning such activity.

The bench said if the companies do this, then the states or the Centre would not have to spend on prevention of stubble burning.