Cars are no longer just a means of transport in India — they have become a symbol of social status, and this growing obsession is contributing heavily to the worsening air pollution crisis, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said during a Supreme Court hearing on Delhi-NCR’s air quality.
The Chief Justice made the remarks while the court was hearing a petition related to the alarming levels of pollution in the capital region. He pointed out that people are now saving money specifically to buy four-wheelers, while environmentally friendly options such as bicycles are slowly disappearing from daily life. According to him, this shift in mindset is directly hurting efforts to control pollution.
“Cars have become a status symbol. People are saving money to buy cars and have stopped using cycles,” CJI Surya Kant observed in court.
The Supreme Court also came down heavily on the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the central body responsible for tackling pollution in Delhi-NCR. The judges expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s slow and casual approach toward a crisis that is growing worse every year. The court noted that CAQM seemed to lack urgency in identifying the real causes of the declining Air Quality Index or in putting effective long-term solutions in place.
During the hearing, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi argued that one of the most effective ways to curb pollution would be to reduce the number of cars owned by individuals. He pointed out that many families own multiple vehicles, adding unnecessary pressure to already congested roads and polluted air. Dwivedi also remarked that the automobile industry is extremely powerful, making meaningful reform difficult.
Responding to this, the Chief Justice said environmental responsibility should not fall only on ordinary citizens. He said that wealthy people, who often buy high-end vehicles, must also make sacrifices for the larger public good. Instead of opting for luxury petrol or diesel cars, they should shift toward cleaner and more sustainable electric vehicles.
The court was particularly critical of CAQM for asking for a two-month adjournment to decide on the temporary closure or relocation of toll plazas on Delhi’s borders. These toll points are considered major contributors to traffic congestion, which in turn increases vehicular emissions. The judges said such delays show a lack of seriousness in dealing with an emergency that affects millions of lives.
The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed CAQM to hold a meeting of environmental and traffic experts within two weeks. The commission has been ordered to submit a detailed report on the key causes of the worsening pollution levels and suggest practical steps to control the crisis.
The observations made by the Chief Justice reflect a broader concern about India’s urban future. As more people move to cities and private vehicle ownership continues to rise, pollution levels are climbing despite repeated warnings and regulations. The court’s remarks underline that the fight against air pollution is not only about government policies, but also about changing public attitudes toward transport and lifestyle.
With Delhi-NCR once again facing dangerously poor air quality, the Supreme Court has sent a clear message that unchecked car culture, lack of accountability, and delayed action can no longer be ignored. The path to cleaner air, the court indicated, lies in responsible governance and responsible choices by citizens alike.