New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- Taking a stern view of the "annual feature" of severe air pollution in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a sweeping set of directives aimed at providing pragmatic solutions, including the potential temporary shutdown or relocation of nine key toll plazas managed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

The court expressed strong concern over the massive traffic congestion at entry points, noting that the resultant long queues of idling vehicles significantly exacerbate vehicular emissions and overall pollution levels.

The apex court specifically directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the MCD to urgently consider either temporarily closing or rel...