Thick smog envelopes Delhi as cracker ban goes up in smoke

The Capital woke up to thick smog on Friday following widespread violations of the firecracker ban across Delhi during Diwali celebrations. As a result, the air quality index plunged to 361 (‘very poor’ category) by 9 am.

Capital recorded its most polluted Diwali in 3 years

Delhi recorded its most polluted Diwali in three years. Though the government on October 14 imposed a blanket ban on manufacturing, storage sale and purchase of firecrackers till January 1, 2025, the sky was lit with fireworks on Thursday evening.

On Friday, RK Puram clocked the worst air quality in the Capital at 398, followed by Anand Vihar at 396, according to the data of System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research.

Delhi, every year, faces adverse air quality during the winter months with dust from roads, vehicular population and stubble burning from neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, with AQI falling into ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ category.

Last year, on Diwali, the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 218 in the ‘poor’ category, rising to 358 the next day. In 2022, it was recorded in the ‘very poor’ category at 322 on Diwali and 302 the following day. This year, the AQI reached 328 on Diwali and increased further to 339 the next day.

According to Delhi’s Early Warning System, winds from the northwest at 6-18 kmph during the day and from the southwest at 4-10 kmph at night on Thursday helped slightly disperse the smog. The system reported that on Friday, southwest and northwest winds blowing at 8-16 kmph would continue to help reduce the AQI. However, it predicts calmer winds on Saturday morning, with speeds expected to increase later in the day.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday expressed gratitude to Delhiites for “largely refraining from bursting firecrackers” on Diwali, which helped prevent the city’s air quality index (AQI) from slipping into the “severe” category. “Thanks to the responsible actions of many residents who avoided using firecrackers, we managed to avoid a severe AQI reading,” Rai said.However, he said while most residents adhered to the ban, some still burst crackers, and the air quality could have improved further if the ban had been completely adhered to.

“Four days ago, the AQI in Delhi had crossed the mark of 350. It was assumed that on the next day after Diwali, the AQI would cross the 400 mark,” he added.

“I congratulate the people of Delhi for acting as responsible citizens by lighting diyas and not bursting crackers, and contributing towards controlling the pollution levels. I hope by next year we will be able to make those who burst firecrackers also understand this,” Rai added.

Rai said in all 70 Assembly constituencies of Delhi, two mobile anti-smog guns would be deployed that would sprinkle water in three shifts and additionally, 200 mobile anti-smog guns would be deployed.