Air pollution: Supreme Court asks NHAI, MCD to consider shifting or closing 9 toll plazas at Delhi borders

Key Points

1. Supreme Court directs NHAI and MCD to consider relocating or temporarily closing nine toll plazas at Delhi borders on December 17, 2025.
2. The Supreme Court described Delhi's pollution crisis as an 'annual feature'.
3. Delhi government's decision to close schools for students from nursery to Class 5 was not interfered with by the Supreme Court.
4. MCD was directed to decide within one week on temporarily closing toll plazas to reduce vehicular emissions.
5. Delhi government to verify construction workers affected by pollution-related restrictions and transfer financial assistance directly to their bank accounts.
6. Around 7,000 workers have been verified out of nearly 2.5 lakh registered construction workers.
7. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is directed to revisit and strengthen its long-term strategies.
8. Next hearing on the PIL filed by environmentalist M.C. Mehta is scheduled for January 6.