India news: Vehicles major cause of Delhi pollution, top court says

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• India's Supreme Court reviews Delhi's approach to tackling air pollution
• Air quality in the capital has plummeted again as winter nears
• Pollution also regularly spikes during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which sees huge amounts of fireworks set off
• Social media giant X says orders asking for the removal of free speech groups in India were fake

Here's a roundup of headlines from across India on Saturday, November 7:

Skip next section India's top court says vehicle emissions a main cause of Delhi's low air quality

November 7, 2026

India's top court says vehicle emissions a main cause of Delhi's low air quality

The Supreme Court of India on Friday said that vehicular pollution is a major contributor to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and questioned the effectiveness of the government's measures to curb it.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, opened the proceedings with a jibe saying, "I hope you all are enjoying the weather in Delhi."

This week, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained above the "hazardous" 300 mark.

Air quality in the capital regularly plummets at the outset of winter, as weather conditions help trap pollutants.

"A major cause of the pollution is vehicular pollution. Look at the roads in Delhi, look at the roads connecting Delhi to the NCR (the National Capital Region)… the kind of bumper-to-bumper traffic… that's the major cause," the CJI said.

The court examined the steps taken by the government to control the rising levels of air pollution.

Expressing concerns over the failure of measures to curb air pollution in Delhi over the years, the court said, "To think we can achieve air quality of less than 100 AQI in Delhi during winters is utopian when 'very poor' and 'severe' have become the new normal."

On stubble burning, the court said farmers should be given economic incentives and practical alternatives.

The court also encouraged responsible celebrations during festivals, particularly Diwali, where firecrackers being set off adds to the air pollution.

"Why don't we revert to our original customs?" the CJI said, adding celebrations should be accompanied by a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

India's worst air pollution crisis isn't in its megacities

Edited by:Karl Sexton

https://p.dw.com/p/5PBIM

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage

November 7, 2026

Welcome to our coverage

Hi! This is Midhat from DW's New Delhi Bureau, bringing you all the important updates from India.

Festive spirits are high as Diwali celebrations begin, but so are the capital's air quality levels, as Delhi's air turns more toxic with each passing day.

Meanwhile, social media platform X has told India's Supreme Court that the police orders asking X to block online accounts of two of India's most ​prominent free speech groups were fake.