New Delhi grapples with heavy pollution, topping global charts while Diwali festivities aggravate the poor air quality index. Though the authorities have banned firecrackers, many revellers made it a point to have them as a part of their celebrations and have hence directly affected Aiq in Delhi. Traditionally associated with joy, it makes the situation more desperate than worse.
The alarming air quality index in Delhi, as recorded on Friday, stood at 339, which is “very poor.” The reading is a slight improvement from the post-Diwali reading last year. It again puts Delhi into the category of one of the most polluted cities around the globe, according to Swiss air quality firm IQAir. The authorities classify an AQI between 0 and 50 as “good,” whereas an AQI between 401 and 500 is classified as “severe,” which would mean grave health risks to the population.
Poor air quality index reported in Delhi, environment minister blames citizens
The environment minister, Gopal Rai, acknowledged the facts but mentioned that pollution did not spike as high as everyone thought it would post-Diwali. “I congratulate the citizens of Delhi for being responsible and helping to control pollution by limiting the use of firecrackers,” Rai said. Despite the restrictions on fireworks during Diwali and winter seasons, imposing compliance has not been easy. Some Hindu groups opposed the restrictions because they considered them to dampen the festival’s spirit.
Going ahead, it is still going to be in the “very poor” category in the upper end of Delhi for the coming days according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ prediction. That level of smog cuts across the seasonal stubble burning by farmers in neighbouring states while clearing leftover crop wastes on fire, resulting in a sharp deterioration in air quality.
Although stubble burning had made only a little contribution to Delhi’s air pollution early this week, it increased sharply to nearly 28% by Thursday. Experts believe that November’s peak has yet to come in this practice early next month. Prof Gufran Beig from the National Institute of Advanced Studies at Bangalore was speaking on Wednesday and emphasized the need for effective control measures at a time like this.
Also, see: Watch: Delhi man shot dead on Diwali along with his minor nephew, gunman hired by a teen