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Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday held a meeting at the Delhi secretariat to take stock of the firecracker ban
Gopal Rai at the launch of ‘Diya Jalao, Patakha Nahi’ programme. (X)
As the city prepares for Diwali celebrations, the Delhi government has stepped up its efforts to ensure pollution-free festival with the blanket ban on firecrackers. So far, over 19,000 kg firecrackers have been seized and 79 cases have been filed for sale and storage.
Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday held a meeting at the Delhi secretariat to take stock of the firecracker ban in the city. To ensure effective implementation, 377 teams have been mobilised across Delhi, which are continuously monitoring the situation.
In a statement, Rai said teams of Delhi police have been formed to enforce a complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi, actively working to ensure its implementation.
“So far, 79 cases related to the sale and storage of firecrackers have been registered, and approximately 19,005 kg of firecrackers have been seized… Action will be taken against those found violating the complete ban on firecrackers, including production, storage, and sale,” he said.
Rai stated that pollution caused by firecrackers during Diwali makes Delhi’s air extremely hazardous, posing a serious threat to children and the elderly. “For this reason, a complete ban has been imposed on the manufacture, storage, sale (including delivery through online platforms), and burning of firecrackers. To enforce this ban, 377 teams have been formed, which include 300 teams from the Delhi Police and 77 from the Revenue Department. These teams are continuously monitoring all of Delhi,” he said.
The minister went on to say that to tackle pollution in Delhi during the winter season, the government has implemented a 21-point winter action plan, which is actively being pursued.
“In a recent meeting with the union agriculture minister, the issue of the firecracker ban was raised, and today I am again requesting the union minister to consider imposing a similar ban on firecrackers in the NCR states, as has been done in Delhi.”
Rai explained that the firecrackers set off in the NCR negatively impact Delhi’s air quality, causing eye irritation and breathing difficulties for the city residents the day after Diwali.
He also reminded that his government has also launched the ‘Diya Jalao, Patakha Nahi’ programme to raise public awareness about the firecracker ban, and this campaign will continue until Diwali.
As of 4 pm onwards Tuesday, Delhi’s AQI was at 268, under the ‘poor’ category.
Delhi was the only city nationwide categorised with ‘very poor’ air quality, recording an AQI of 274 on Tuesday, an improvement from Monday’s 304, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The anti-pollution body has warned that the AQI is expected to hover in the ‘very poor’ category till Wednesday. On Thursday, it could reach the ‘severe’ category if additional emissions from firecrackers and stubble fires occur.
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