Fri Nov 01 15:42:30 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Escapes Severe Air Pollution on Deepavali Thanks to Reduced Firecracker Use
**New Delhi, November 1, 2024:** Delhi’s air quality narrowly avoided slipping into the ‘severe’ category on Deepavali thanks to the collective effort of residents who largely refrained from bursting firecrackers, according to Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai.
“Thanks to the responsible actions of many residents who avoided using firecrackers, we managed to avoid a severe AQI reading,” Mr. Rai said.
While acknowledging the success of the initiative, the minister also noted that some individuals still disregarded the ban, indicating that the air quality could have improved further if the ban had been fully adhered to.
To combat air pollution further, the Delhi government launched a special dust-control campaign on Deepavali, deploying two mobile smog guns in each Assembly constituency to actively spray water on roads and minimize dust levels.
First Piper 