New Delhi’s Defiance of Firecracker Ban Leads to Unprecedented Pollution Levels

New Delhi, the bustling heart of India, finds itself shrouded in a thick cloak of noxious smog, with air quality deteriorating sharply after a fireworks ban was largely ignored during the vibrant festivities of Diwali, the festival of lights.

Home to over 30 million residents, New Delhi’s choked thoroughfares rank it as one of the planet’s most polluted metropolitan areas, a title it is all too familiar with.

Each year, the city succumbs to a choking haze filled with harmful pollutants, primarily attributed to the practice of agricultural stubble burning by farmers in nearby states, coupled with emissions from factories and the endless stream of vehicles.

However, the situation has dramatically worsened following an exuberant night of firecracker displays during Diwali, despite municipal authorities having implemented a prohibition on their sale and use just a month prior.

Prior to the festival, the local police managed to confiscate nearly two tonnes of fireworks, but they still found their way into the hands of eager celebrants from bordering regions.

Many residents opted for more subdued celebrations at home, gathering for family feasts and lighting small diyas in reverence to Goddess Lakshmi, embodying the triumph of light over darkness.

Air quality deteriorated significantly after the explosive night of revelry.

Meanwhile, others set off firework rockets and resounding crackers, causing disturbances that echoed throughout the densely populated areas well into the night.

Enforcement tends to be lax, as local police hesitate to penalize offenders, given the deep-rooted cultural significance of fireworks among Hindu devotees.

Delve deeper into stories around climate issues here.

Critics argue that infighting between political leaders of neighboring states, along with disagreements between central and regional governments, has only added to the air quality crisis.

Just last month, India’s Supreme Court proclaimed that clean air constitutes a fundamental human right and mandated both central and state governments to take urgent action.

“Delhi’s toxic air is slowly asphyxiating us,” lamented the Times of India in an urgent editorial last week as the seasonal pollution began to rear its ugly head.

“This isn’t anything new, but what continues to astonish is the state’s unresponsive approach, year after year.”

New Delhi consistently ranks among the globe’s most polluted urban areas.

‘Hazardous’ air

PM2.5 levels, which are fine particulate matter that can penetrate the bloodstream through the lungs, skyrocketed to over 23 times the daily limit recommended by the World Health Organization.

Shortly after sunrise, air quality readings soared above 345 micrograms per cubic meter, according to data from monitoring company IQAir, labeling the atmosphere in the vast megacity as “hazardous.”

This report deemed New Delhi the most polluted city in the world, surpassing smoke-choked Lahore in neighboring Pakistan, situated roughly 400 kilometers to the northwest.

A cyclist dons a mask amidst the perilous smog in New Delhi.

The local government has previously attempted to mitigate pollution by restricting vehicle access. They initiated a system allowing only cars with odd or even license plates to operate on alternate days.

Additionally, they imposed seasonal bans on construction projects and barred diesel vehicles from entering the city’s limits.

“The enormity of the crisis necessitates more than mere tweaks,” stated The Indian Express, criticizing “an unsettling absence of commitment from both the central and state governments.”

As the smog envelops the city yet again, the specter of health crises looms. With respiratory issues on the rise and people trapped in this toxic blanket, the urgency for decisive, impactful action has never been clearer.

As Delhiites navigate through the murky air, one thing remains painfully evident: more than mere celebrations, it demands a concerted effort and collaboration between local and national leaders to tackle the relentless specter of air pollution haunting the capital.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More