The Supreme Court today directed the Central Government to file a detailed affidavit on why the Smog Tower project was not completed as per Court Orders.
A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra, B.R. Gavai and Krishna Murari posed a number of questions to the Centre regarding the implementation of the project that was supposed to be overseen by Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay).
The Apex Court in December 2019 had given three months to the Centre and the Delhi government to set up a smog tower pilot project in Connaught Place in New Delhi to fight the air pollution in the national capital.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Apex Court that after hearing on Wednesday, persons concerned at IIT Bombay, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other technical consultants were contacted and the memorandum of understanding was prepared.
Justice Mishra again queried that when the court had asked for completion of the project within three months, then why the order was not complied with.
The Supreme Court asked the Centre to file a detailed affidavit by Monday.
"We will not permit this. File a detailed affidavit by Monday. We will not postpone after that anymore. You have to answer all our queries. We will not tolerate this laxity!" said the bench.
The bench has posted the matter for hearing on August 4.
