Pollution Control: Firecrackers banned in Delhi this Diwali too

New Delhi : The Delhi government on Wednesday banned storage, sale and use of firecrackers in the upcoming Diwali season amid concerns related to air pollution.

The move is similar to the last year when Aam Aadmi Party had banned firecrackers. Interestingly, bad air quality was also linked to the increased cases of coronavirus infection. The city saw a spike in cases - a seven-day average of around 6,000 per day- as air quality dipped in the week after Diwali.

"In view of the dangerous condition of Delhi's pollution during Diwali in the last three years, like last year, a complete ban is being imposed on storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers. (This is) so that people's lives can be saved," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted.

He acknowledged that last year government got late in issuing the order which had caused losses to traders.

"In view of the seriousness of pollution after the stocking of firecrackers by trader... last year a complete ban was imposed late, which caused losses to traders. It is an appeal to all traders... in view of the complete ban, do not store or sell firecrackers," he tweeted.

In 2019, pollution levels skyrocketed during and after Diwali. In 2018 the AQI crossed the 600-mark, which is 12 times the safe limit.