Happy Diwali for Delhiites as SC relaxes ban on green firecrackers, permits their sale and bursting from…
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday welcomed the Supreme Court decision on green firecrackers, saying it honours the sentiments of people on Diwali and also reflects a balanced approach towards environment protection.
In what could bring cheer to many faces, the Supreme Court on Wednesday relaxed ban on green firecrackers, permits their sale and bursting in Delhi-NCR during Diwali noting that crackers are smuggled into Delhi-NCR, and cause more damage than green firecrackers.
The SC noted, “We have to take balanced approach, permitting it in moderation while not compromising with environment. As temporary measure, we allow bursting of crackers from October 18 to 21.”
“Patrol teams will conduct regular checks on cracker manufacturers, their QR codes have to be uploaded on sites,” SC added and said, “No crackers from outside Delhi-NCR can be sold here and if found, the licences of sellers will be suspended.”
Central Pollution Control Board, state PCBs of NCR shall monitor AQI from October 18, said SC.
Delhi Pollution
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality has begun to deteriorate just before Diwali. The capital’s AQI (Air Quality Index) on Saturday approached the “poor” category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality index at 4 p.m. was 199, which falls in the moderate category according to the daily bulletin, an average of the previous 24 hours.
Chandni Chowk recorded an air quality index of 307 at 4 p.m. Saturday, the highest this season. This level falls in the “very poor” category. The lowest AQI of 130 was recorded at Aurobindo Marg, which falls in the moderate category. Delhi last recorded “poor” air on June 11, with an AQI of 245, before the arrival of the southwest monsoon. The EWS, which operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has said that the city’s air is likely to remain in the “poor” category from Sunday to October 14.
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