The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern over the worsening air quality across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), attributing a major portion of the deteriorating condition to vehicular smoke. Observing that the sharp spike in emissions from vehicles demands immediate intervention, the apex court has directed the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan to submit comprehensive responses regarding measures taken to restrict older and non-compliant vehicles. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana also instructed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi Police to file detailed status reports. Authorities have been asked to outline both short-term and long-term action plans aimed at controlling vehicular emissions and improving regional air quality. The court noted that while incidents of stubble burning in Delhi and neighboring states have seen a notable decline, vehicular pollution has escalated significantly. The bench observed that air quality is being impacted not only by local traffic within the national capital but also by the heavy volume of vehicles entering daily from adjacent states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Court Inquires About PUC Compliance and Border RestrictionsTo evaluate enforcement mechanisms, the Supreme Court questioned how authorities are tracking and identifying vehicles violating pollution standards. The bench called for details regarding the implementation of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates and measures put in place to block non-compliant older vehicles from entering the NCR. Officials must provide specific figures detailing the number of vehicles checked, penalties issued, and entries denied. In addition, the bench sought information on inter-state coordination strategies to regulate cross-border vehicle movement. The four states have been given two weeks to file their replies and update the court on actions taken in response to recommendations from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).Next Phase of Hearings Fixed for Late NovemberThe directions were issued during ongoing proceedings of a suo motu case initiated on November 6 to address regulatory frameworks governing air pollution. The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing specifically focusing on vehicular emissions for November 23. Related environmental matters will be taken up subsequently: issues concerning solid waste management, crop residue burning, and firecrackers will be heard on November 25, while emissions from construction sites, power plants, and industrial units are set for review on November 26. During previous proceedings, the court highlighted severe traffic congestion on key transit arteries connecting Delhi with NCR satellite hubs, including Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad. In response, the Central Government informed the court that restrictions on vehicles below BS-VI standards are being enforced, alongside linking PUC certificates to inspection verification systems.