Delhi govt bans firecrackers to check winter pollution

New Delhi: To curb the pollution menace during the winters, Delhi government has ordered a blanket ban on manufacture, storage, sale and bursting of firecrackers in the national capital.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that instructions have been given to impose complete ban on manufacture, storage, sale, including delivery through online marketing platforms, of firecrackers, and bursting of firecrackers.

“The air quality of Delhi becomes very polluted in winter and it is very lethal for children and the elderly. Keeping this in mind, the government has directed a blanket ban on firecrackers. In this regard, DPCC has been instructed to issue necessary instructions to all concerned departments. Just as instructions have been given to impose a complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi, similarly a ban should be imposed in the NCR states because the firecrackers burst in NCR have an adverse effect on the air of Delhi,” said Rai.

He further stated that pollution levels increase inside Delhi in winter. From January to August, the average AQI of the city has been quite low. AQI 45 was recorded in Delhi yesterday. But gradually in October, with the increase in winter, the atmosphere becomes humid and particle matter starts accumulating here.

Rai said that the success of the Delhi government’s efforts to curb pollution; in the last 9 years, PM 10 levels fell by 42 per cent, PM 2.5 by 46 per cent. “The government will organize an “Environmental Experts Meet” regarding the Winter Action Plan at the Delhi Secretariat on September 12. The suggestions given by experts will be included in the Winter Action Plan,” he added.

In this meet mainly 24 organizations/ experts will be involved such as CSE, Council of Energy, Environment and Water, Council for Clean Transportation, RMI India, Environmental Defense Fund, UNEP, IIT Delhi and Kanpur, ASAR, Air Pollution Action Group, Climate Trends, Care for Air, Climate works foundation, Sustainable Energy Foundation, ORF, CSTEP, WRI, India, GIZ India, forest, C40, Epic India and Clean Air Asia, Delhi Environment Minister’s office communiqué said.

With an aim to create a coordinated action plan in the fight against pollution, a joint meeting will be held with 28 departments. Based on the key points outlined in the Winter Action Plan, specific responsibilities will be given to various departments during the meeting scheduled for September 14, it said.

"A campaign against firecrackers will be started across the national capital. All Delhiites including the Residents Welfare Association (RWA), Paryavaran Mitra and Eco Club will be included in the campaign. We have to understand that we are collectively responsible for the safety of the environment," Rai said. (UNI)