New Delhi: Ahead of Diwali celebrations, Delhi’s overall air quality slipped to the “very poor” category on Monday. The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said the overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 302. According to SAFAR, crop residue burning emissions account for about 8% of the major pollutants like PM 2.5.
The agency further predicted that the air quality in the national capital may improve to the upper end of the poor due to the expected change in wind direction, reported ANI.
However, on Sunday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the air quality in Delhi is likely to remain at the low end of the very poor category on November 1, and on November 2, 2021. “The air quality is likely to remain in the low end of the very poor category till November 4 and then worsens significantly on November 5-6. PM2.5 is a major pollutant,” by ANI in its report to IMD was cited.
In view of the growing threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had directed a complete ban on the sale and bursting of all types of firecrackers in the national capital by January 1, 2022.
“Several experts have indicated the possibility of another surge of COVID-19 and mass gatherings by bursting of firecrackers will result in not only conglomeration of people violating social distancing norms, but also high levels of air pollution will also lead to serious health issues in Delhi,” the order read.
Earlier in the wake of air pollution in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had accused the neighboring states of not helping the farmers due to which they burn their stubble which causes pollution in Delhi.
“For the past one month, I have been tweeting air quality data in Delhi. Pollution has increased in the last 3-4 days and this is due to stubble burning in neighboring states. Farmers in neighboring states are forced to burn stubble as their governments are not doing anything for them (to stop stubble burning).”
Guidelines issued by neighboring states regarding use of firecrackers:
Haryana: The Haryana government had given a two-hour exemption for selling and bursting firecrackers in the state. “Along with pollution, the cases of corona are also increasing, so we have to take tough decisions regarding firecrackers. Still, we are giving 2 hours relaxation to those who want to sell and burst firecrackers. Traders in these 2 Can sell crackers during rush hour,” ANI quoted Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar as saying in line with the risk of spreading Covid-19 due to pollution caused by bursting crackers.
Punjab: The Punjab government had banned the use of firecrackers during upcoming festivals like Diwali and Gurpurab to check pollution. In the instructions issued by the Punjab government, it has been said that only green firecrackers will be allowed on Diwali and Gurpurab. According to the guidelines issued by the government, bursting of green crackers will be allowed only for 2 hours i.e. from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and Gurpurab. The government has said that bursting of crackers is not allowed in Mandi Gobindgarh and Jalandhar.
(with inputs from agencies)
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