The Indian Supreme Court's recent directive to halt crop burning in Punjab highlights the critical issue of air pollution in the country, particularly in Delhi, where the air quality index remains consistently poor.

The court's firm stance emphasizes the gravity of the health risks associated with the hazardous air quality, stressing the urgent need for action rather than blame-shifting. The directive also calls for curbing the open burning of municipal solid waste in Delhi.

Crop burning, a significant contributor to the worsening air quality, has drawn attention, prompting immediate measures to address the practice. Alongside crop burning, vehicular emissions, firecrackers, and local pollution sources exacerbate the air quality crisis in Delhi and surrounding regions.

Despite the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan and various measures, Delhi's air quality remains in the severe category, warranting a comprehensive, multi-state approach to tackle the root causes of air pollution and ensure sustained improvement.