‘Nonsense’: SC slams IIT-B for backing out of smog tower project

nNEWDELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday took strong exception to Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay backing out of the proposal to construct smog towers in Delhi on an experimental basis to combat air pollution.

A three-judge bench headed by justice Arun Mishra warned contempt of court action against IIT officials after solicitor general Tushar Mehta informed the court that IIT Bombay had expressed unwillingness to take responsibility for the project and was proposing to back out.

“How can they back out from a central government project after this court passed orders? Is it a child’s game? We will not tolerate this nonsense. We will draw contempt against them,” a livid justice Mishra remarked during the hearing of a case concerning air pollution in the national capital.

The court during the last hearing, on July 21, had asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with IIT Bombay and Tata Projects Limited within seven days for installation of smog tower in Delhi.

Tushar Mehta, however, told the court on Wednesday that the centre was exploring new options with National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and IIT Delhi since IIT Bombay had backed out but the court found the suggestion unacceptable.

“We will proceed against IIT Bombay. I cannot tolerate this nonsense,” he said.

The bench, which also comprised justices Vineet Saran and MR Shah, insisted Mehta talk to IIT officials and get back to the court with instructions within 15 minutes. Mehta, however, expressed his inability to obtain instructions at such a short notice and requested the court to grant time till Thursday.

“How can I take instructions within 15 minutes? I don’t know anyone there (IIT Bombay),” Mehta replied.

“We are not happy with IIT Bombay for violation of order of this court and for backing out,” the court said posting the case for Thursday, when IIT Bombay is expected to respond to the court.

Calls to IIT Bombay’s public relations office went unanswered.

Rising pollution levels in the national capital, despite various orders by the Supreme Court had incensed the apex court during a hearing on November 25, 2019. The court had then asked the CPCB and the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to take a concrete decision on installation and operation of smog towers to control pollution.