Fri Nov 01 04:26:52 UTC 2024: ## Diwali Celebrations Turn Delhi Skies Smoggy Despite Firecracker Ban

**New Delhi:** Despite a strict ban on firecrackers, Delhi’s air quality plummeted to “very poor” levels on Diwali, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 330 by 10 pm. The city’s skies were shrouded in thick smoke, reminiscent of the severe pollution experienced in 2020.

The AQI in areas like Anand Vihar even reached “severe” levels, with PM2.5 levels spiking, posing significant health risks, particularly for children, elderly individuals, and those with respiratory issues. This year’s Diwali saw a return to the infamous pollution levels, worsened by adverse weather conditions, stubble burning, and vehicular emissions, contrasting with last year’s relatively clearer skies.

Despite deploying 377 enforcement teams and raising awareness through local groups, the Delhi government struggled to enforce the firecracker ban. Several neighborhoods in east and west Delhi reported widespread violations.

The 24-hour average AQI for Delhi stood at 330, up from 307 the previous day. PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations reached alarming levels, peaking at 145.1 and 272 micrograms per cubic meter respectively at 9 pm.

The pollution wasn’t confined to Delhi. Haryana and several other regions also recorded AQI levels in the “poor” and “very poor” categories on Diwali night. Punjab and Chandigarh also witnessed a spike in AQI levels across many locations.

The Delhi government, in its fifth consecutive year of banning firecrackers, has taken stringent measures to enforce the ban, including deploying police units to monitor neighborhoods and issuing warnings of legal action against violators under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

However, the return of severe pollution on Diwali highlights the ongoing challenge of controlling air pollution in the national capital and surrounding areas. This necessitates a multi-pronged approach, including stricter enforcement of existing rules and proactive measures to address the root causes of pollution.

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