Delhi Govt orders to impose ban on firecrackers to curb pollution in winter

New Delhi [India], September 11 : The Delhi Government has taken decisive action to combat escalating pollution levels by extending the ban on firecrackers within the capital city.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced the stringent measures, emphasizing the critical need to safeguard the health of citizens, especially children and the elderly, from the harmful effects of firecracker emissions. This comprehensive policy encompasses a prohibition on the manufacturing, storage, sale, and online delivery of firecrackers, with Minister Rai urging neighboring NCR states to adopt similar measures to protect Delhi's air quality.
Addressing a press conference on Monday in the Delhi secretariat, Gopal Rai said, “Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has brought a comprehensive policy to bring down pollution levels in Delhi. The government is stepping up its preparations this year and in this sequence, the government has imposed a ban on crackers in Delhi this year.”
He said that there is a rise in pollution during winter due to the bursting of firecrackers. The air 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 manufacture, storage, sale (including delivery through online marketing platforms) and bursting of 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,” Minister added.
Highlighting the pollution surge during winters, Minister Rai explained that the air quality deteriorates significantly, making it imperative to curb firecracker usage.
He said, “Pollution levels increase inside Delhi in winter. From January to August, the average AQI of Delhi has been quite low. AQI 45 was recorded in Delhi yesterday. But gradually in October, with the increase in winter, the atmosphere of Delhi becomes humid and particle matter starts accumulating here. In this, the pollution outside Delhi and inside Delhi makes the air here more polluted. On 23 October 2018, the Honorable Supreme Court permitted the manufacture and sale of only green crackers. But because of the increasing problem of pollution in 2019, on 1st December 2020, the NGT directed to impose a complete ban on all types of firecrackers if the AQI is in the poor and above category. Based on that, DPCC had imposed a complete ban on firecrackers in 2021. A complete ban was also imposed in 2022 and this year instructions have been given to impose a complete ban on all types of firecrackers.”
He said that with the massive success of the Delhi Government’s efforts to curb pollution in the past nine years, PM 10 levels fell by 42 per cent, PM 2.5 by 46 per cent.
To further refine the Winter Action Plan, an 'Environmental Experts Meet' is scheduled at the Delhi Secretariat and the suggestions given by experts will be included in the Winter Action Plan.
In the Meet mainly 24 organizations and 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, Clean Air Asia etc.
Gopal Rai said that on September 14th, a joint meeting involving 28 concerned departments will convene to formulate a coordinated action plan against pollution.
“The meeting will include all senior representatives from the Environment Department, DPCC, MCD, NDMC, Cantonment Board, NHAI, Revenue, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Fire Services, DTC, DMRC, DIMTS, Horticulture, DSIIDC, GAD, Power Department, DDA, CPWD, PWD, Traffic Police, Education, Industry, Forest, I&FC, UD, DUSIB, Transport Department, and Development Department etc. The major goal of this meeting is to create a coordinated action plan in the fight against Delhi's pollution. 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,” he added.
Rai also emphasized the initiation of a campaign against firecrackers within Delhi, involving residents, welfare associations, and environmental groups.
He said, "A campaign against firecrackers will be started inside Delhi. All Delhiites including the Residents Welfare Association (RWA), Paryavaran Mitra and Eco Club will be included in this campaign. Every individual has to make their share of contribution in reducing pollution. We have to understand that we are collectively responsible for the safety of the environment."