Delhi government on Monday banned the production, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers in Delhi till January 1, 2025. This is one of the steps that the city government is taking to counter the rising levels of air pollution in winter.
The Environment Minister Gopal Rai issued instructions regarding this blanket ban on firecrackers. It will ban both physical as well as online sales of these.
A letter was issued by the Environment Ministry to the Delhi Police Commissioner to strictly enforce the ban.
"Our Government had to take this decision after receiving numerous complaints from the residents. The Government of NCT of Delhi has decided to impose Complete Ban on manufacturing, storage, selling (including delivery through online marketing platforms) on all kinds of firecrackers and bursting thereof up to January 1, 2025 in the territory of NCT of Delhi," the letter said.
It stated that daily action taken reports are to be submitted to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee on email ID: [email protected].
The Minister has requested cooperation from all residents of Delhi in implementing the ban.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai earlier on 9th October reported that field inspections were conducted as per the 21-point Winter Action Plan, and many agencies have been negligent. As a reaction to the same, more than 120 agencies engaged in construction work across different locations were met.
He stated that the Delhi government is working hard to stop pollution in the city. In this light, an anti-dust campaign has been launched since October 7 to control dust pollution.
Winter remains a challenge, too, as low temperatures, stagnant air, and reduced rainfall typically lead to higher pollution levels in the national capital, he said.
Apart from these, it has also activated a 'war room' to monitor pollution and taken up the Green Delhi app to engage residents in this concern, besides spraying bio-decomposers to reduce stubble burning impacts.
Hitting a very assertive note, Gopal Rai, Minister of Environment and Forests and Ecology, appealed to the citizens, the Central government, as well as neighboring states, to cooperate for effective winter pollution control.
While Delhi is one of the world's most polluted cities all year round, there are certain factors that turn the air in this city toxic. Major contributors include burning crop remains, low wind speed, and most notably, bursting firecrackers during festivals.
The noxious air poses serious health problems to the residents of Delhi every year.
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