Residents flout cracker ban in Panchkula, air quality plummets

Despite the district administration’s orders, residents continued to burst firecrackers well past midnight on Thursday following Diwali celebrations. Fortunately, only a few minor burn cases were recorded at the Sector 6 Civil Hospital.

The administration had specified that firecrackers could only be set off from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali, citing air pollution concerns during the winter and health risks associated with high levels of particulate matter. They also permitted only ‘green crackers,” which do not contain barium salts.

However, many residents ignored the restrictions as they began bursting crackers as early as 7 pm and continued late into the night. The sounds of firecrackers could still be heard after midnight, startling many residents.

The district administration had warned of penalties for non-compliance under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosives Act of 1884 and related laws.

Minor fire incidents reported, no casualties

Fire officers here reported only minor incidents, with no casualties. The District Fire Officer, Tarsem Rana, said nine minor fires occurred, including two at the old anaj mandi, one at a car parking area in Rambagh and another at a scrap dealer’s shop in Valmiki Basti, resulting in a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh. Other incidents of fire occurred at a house in Kamal Vihar and a shanty in Barwala.

Health officials reported 34 minor burn injuries on Thursday and Friday; however, no major injuries were recorded and all patients were sent home after preliminary treatment.

Air quality index goes from 195 to 245

The Air Quality Index (AQI) fell from 195 (moderate) on October 31 to 245 (poor) on November 1. While stubble burning has been cited as a contributor to the declining air quality, the continued use of firecrackers after the designated time also impacted the AQI.

The region’s AQI has been deteriorating since October 1. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI remained good to satisfactory in the first two weeks of October; however, it dropped to mostly moderate levels during the following fortnight, culminating in the poor reading on November 1.