Division Bench asks Pollution Control Board to file affidavit with policies, expert inputs and implementation timelines; also directs stricter steps to curb firecracker-related pollution during festivals.
The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) to prepare and file a detailed affidavit setting out methods, policies and a time-bound roadmap to curb air pollution and improve air quality across the State.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Om Narayan Rai passed the order in a public interest matter concerning air quality in West Bengal. During the hearing, the State submitted that the Pollution Control Board must formulate specific policies for pollution control throughout the State, and assured the Court that the Government would respond positively to such measures, noting that the matter was not adversarial in nature.
The Court was informed by counsel for the WBPCB that a short report had already been tendered, but the Board would now submit a more comprehensive affidavit containing concrete methods and policies to control air pollution. The Board also undertook to prepare a roadmap for effective action to improve the air quality index.
Taking note of this submission, the Bench granted time to the Board and directed it to work on its policies by consulting experts in the field as well as the relevant State authorities. The Court specifically asked the Board to place before it a roadmap with timelines for implementation of the proposed measures, with the assistance of the State Government. The affidavit/report has been directed to be filed on or before 13 October 2026, with copies to be supplied to the petitioner-in-person and to the State through its counsel.
In addition to the broader air pollution concerns, the Court also directed the Pollution Control Board and State authorities to take appropriate measures to curb pollution caused by firecrackers during the ensuing festivals. This direction was issued in light of the Court’s earlier order dated 11 October 2022 in WPA(P) 292 of 2021.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on 19 November 2026.
Bottom Line :
Air pollution and air quality - Division Bench directed West Bengal Pollution Control Board to file affidavit/report containing methods, policies and a time-bound road map for curbing air pollution and improving air quality in the State, after consulting experts and State authorities - Board and State authorities also directed to take appropriate measures to control pollution caused by fire crackers during ensuing festivals in light of earlier Division Bench order.
Statutory provision(s): Not specifically mentioned in the judgment.
Akash Sharma v. State of West Bengal, (Calcutta)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2987084
