The air quality in Delhi dropped to the “very poor” category on Thursday night, and on Diwali night, it is predicted to rise to the “severe” category.According to PTI, the city’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) increased from 307 on Wednesday to 328 at 4 p.m.
When Delhi residents awoke earlier today, the sky was covered in a heavy blanket of haze. With an AQI in the “severe” level, the air quality in Anand Vihar, a major terminus, was severely filthy. The average AQI (PM10) for Anand Vihar at 8 am was 419, with a maximum of 500. Despite extensive restrictions on their production, sale, and use, Delhi’s skies roar each year with the sounds of firecrackers going off all across the city without any enforcement action.
The emissions from these firecrackers, which are loaded with hazardous substances like lead, sulphur, and barium, combine with the already high levels of local pollutants and smoke from farm fires to create a lethal cocktail. The production, use, sale, and storage of firecrackers are all prohibited by the Delhi government.
Gopal Rai, the environment minister for Delhi, declared on Diwali eve that 377 teams had been established to enforce the national capital’s firecracker prohibition. In order to raise awareness, he said, authorities are in contact with social organisations, market associations, and resident welfare associations.
As per ANI, Rai says, “If we all try to come together and keep one thing in mind that we have to celebrate Diwali with diyas and distribute sweets and not create problems for children and elders in our homes by burning crackers. If the whole of Delhi takes care of the lives of our children and elders, then I think that we can save Delhi from the smoke that happens every year after Diwali.”
In the meantime, squads of Delhi Police have been established to make sure that firecrackers don’t go off. “Anyone discovered to be exploding crackers will face legal prosecution. PTI cited an officer who said, “They may also be booked under the relevant sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) for violating government orders.”
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an air quality index of 0–50 is considered “good,” 51–100 is “satisfactory,” 101–200 is “moderate,” 201–300 is “poor,” 301–400 is “very poor,” and 400 or higher is “severe”.