The court expressed strong concern over the massive traffic congestion at Delhi entry points, noting that the resulting long queues of idling vehicles significantly worsen vehicular emissions and overall pollution levels. A drone image shows the Mayur Vihar-1 area, with the air quality index remaining in the ‘Very Poor’ category on Wednesday, according to the Central New Delhi Pollution Control Board. (ANI) Taking a stern view of the “annual feature” of severe air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a comprehensive set of directions aimed at providing pragmatic solutions, including the possible temporary shutdown or relocation of nine key toll plazas managed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The court expressed strong concern over the massive traffic congestion at entry points, noting that the resulting long queues of idling vehicles significantly worsen vehicle emissions and overall pollution levels. The Supreme Court specifically directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the MCD to urgently consider either temporarily closing or shifting the nine toll collection booths on the borders of the national capital. One-week deadline for MCD During the hearing, the SC was informed that MCD toll collection points, including one at the Gurugram border, were causing traffic snarls of more than hours. It questioned the necessity of the current collection model, noting that while tolls generate revenue, they also cause litigation and serious environmental damage. The SC suggested that the MCD devise a “concrete plan” to ensure “absolutely no toll plaza till January 31 next year.” The MCD has been given a strict deadline, told to take a decision on the temporary closure of the nine toll plazas within one week and place that decision on the court record. The court also suggested that the NHAI investigate the management of these plazas and divert a portion of the collection to the MCD to compensate for the temporary revenue loss. “We have also asked the NHAI to consider the possibility of shifting the nine toll collection booths of the MCD in Delhi to such places which can be manned by NHAI and the part of the toll collected by it can be diverted to the MCD to compensate for the perceived temporary loss,” it said. “Meanwhile, the MCD is directed to cooperate on the issue and consider suspending the toll plazas for a temporary period; such a decision will be taken within one week and placed on record,” the SC said. Strict action against older vehicles In a significant amendment to its August 12 interim order, the Supreme Court has allowed authorities to take coercive action against older vehicles that do not meet Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) emission standards. This step targets pre-BS-IV vehicles, which are considered to disproportionately contribute to air quality degradation.