Delhi’s Pollution Crisis Worsens Post-Diwali, Blame Shifted to UP and Haryana: Environment Minister
The pollution crisis in Delhi has worsened following the Diwali celebrations, according to Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai. In a recent review meeting, Rai attributed the declining air quality and rising pollution to the neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Haryana. The Minister emphasized that the preventive measures implemented under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4 would continue due to the alarming increase in pollution levels in the capital.
The review meeting, held at the Delhi Secretariat, aimed to address the overall air quality situation in Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) and assess the enforcement measures taken to combat pollution. Several areas in Delhi-NCR have been experiencing severe or severe plus levels of pollution, prompting concerns among residents. The discussion also covered the impact of post-Diwali celebrations on the pollution crisis.
On Monday morning, Delhi and its adjoining regions woke up to a thick layer of smog, impairing visibility and causing difficulties for commuters. The night sky was illuminated with fireworks despite the ban on firecrackers imposed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and its Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi (Light lamps, not firecrackers) campaign. Pictures and videos from different parts of Delhi, including Lodhi Road, RK Puram, Karol Bagh, and Punjabi Bagh, reflected the disregard for the ban.
Manish Tewari, a Congress MP, expressed his discontent with the situation, highlighting the violation of the Supreme Court’s firecracker ban. Similarly, Saket Gokhale, a Trinamool Congress MP, wrote to the Delhi police seeking information on cases registered against those who defied the firecracker ban.
The AAP government has been striving to combat the pollution crisis in Delhi, resulting in a complete ban on firecrackers. Additionally, they even considered the possibility of artificial rain to alleviate the foul air before unexpected rainfall provided some relief, temporarily improving the pollution levels.
Recent data confirms that Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated significantly since the last week of October. PM 2.5 levels, a measure of fine particulate matter, have reached 20 times the limit set by the World Health Organization. Consequently, the Delhi government has ordered the closure of all primary classes and restricted the entry of trucks to address the issue.
As the pollution crisis in Delhi intensifies post-Diwali, the blame has been shifted to the neighboring states of UP and Haryana. The situation calls for robust measures and collaborative efforts to mitigate the rising pollution levels and safeguard public health and the environment.
