Delhi HC Refuses to Postpone 19 Nov Half Marathon Despite Smog

Taking note of the preparations made by organisers of the event, the court said no orders were called for.

Participants running during the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon in 2016.

(Photo: IANS)

The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to postpone the Delhi Half Marathon in the national capital on November 19 after its organisers said participants could opt out with full refund of their money if they did not want to run in view of air pollution.

Procam International, promoter of the event, told a bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Sanjeev Sachdeva that measures have been put in place to ensure that the participants were provided a “conducive environment” to run.

Starting from 12am on 19 November, the entire course would be washed with treated water mixed with salt and thereafter, there would be intermittent spraying of water on the route from 2am to 10am, it said. The event has various categories with different timings.

The event promoter said potential dust hot spots would be twice doused with water prior to start of the marathon.

Apart from that, around 150 mist fans would be deployed at varying heights at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the holding area for the participants, and from 2am to 11am the roads designated for the event would be blocked, it said.

Procam, represented by senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, also told the bench that elaborate medical facilities, comprising six medical stations, seven ambulances, 75 doctors, 50 physiotherapists and over 100 nurses, and 12 water stations have been put in place for the benefit of the participants.

It also said that despite all these preparations, if any participant wished not to run, he or she could opt out and their participation fee would be refunded.

Taking note of the preparations made by the promoter and organiser of the event, the court said no orders were called for.

The submissions were made before the bench in response to a letter written to the high court by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) seeking postponing of the marathon on the ground of poor and unsafe air quality in the national capital.

The letter was moved in the main PIL initiated by the high court to address air pollution problems of Delhi and in which it has been issuing directions from time to time.

Airtel Threatens to Discontinue Association With Marathon

Telecom service provider Bharti Airtel on Monday threatened to discontinue its decade-long alliance with the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (ADHM) in the future, if the rising concerns of air pollution in New Delhi are not immediately addressed.

"We have received a lot of feedback from our customers and citizens at large, expressing concern on holding the marathon in view of the prevailing air pollution in the city," Airtel said in a statement.

Air pollution poses serious health risks, and it is important that these concerns are addressed urgently and appropriately by the authorities for Airtel to continue their association with the event next year and beyond.

Airtel

Airtel said they have discussed the air quality issue with the organisers who have assured that it is taking several measures to minimise the impact on the runners.

(With inputs from IANS.)