The National Green Tribunal (NGT), November 3 directed the Chief Secretaries of the states where the cities air quality index (AQI) has dipped to severe, very poor and poor to take immediate action and submit an action taken report before the tribunal before the next date of hearing, November 10.

The court also directed notice to be issued to the Chief Secretaries of the states with AQI; Chairman, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM); Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB); National Task Force through its head secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

The application was registered suo moto in exercise of powers on the basis of the Air Quality Bulletins of the CPCB posted on their website from October 20 to November 1, 2023. The said reports show that there are various cities where the air quality index has dipped to 'very poor' or even to 'severe' stage.