As Pollution Yet Again Grips Delhi After Diwali, Angry People Debate The Firecrackers Ban
The online indicators of the pollution monitoring stations in Delhi glowed red, indicating 'very poor' air quality as the volume of ultra fine particulates PM2.5 and PM10, which enter the respiratory system rose after 7 pm
The morning after Diwali in Delhi, instead of being clean, was full of thick haze as Delhi celebrated the festival of lights. While the city hoped for a cracker-free night of celebration, following a Supreme Court ban on the sale of firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR), the pollution indicators told another story.
Despite ban, firecrackers were burst freely causing severe air pollution in Delhi
The online indicators of the pollution monitoring stations in the city glowed red, indicating a 'very poor' air quality as the volume of ultra fine particulates PM2.5 and PM10, which enter the respiratory system and manage to reach the bloodstream, sharply rose from around 7 pm. Real time pollution data appeared alarming. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee's (DPCC) RK Puram monitoring station recorded PM2.5 and PM10 at 878 and 1,179 micrograms per cubic metre at around 11 pm, reported PTI.
Delhi woke up to a thick smog-filled morning after Diwali
With festivities growing by the hour, the quality of air and noise began to gradually deteriorate. According to the SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research), the 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10 were 154 and 256 micrograms per cubic metre respectively at around 11 pm.
The city was covered in smoke caused by firecrackers
A 'very poor' air quality index (AQI) essentially means that people may suffer from respiratory illnesses on a prolonged exposure to such air. If the air quality dips further, the AQI will turn 'severe', which may trouble even those with sound health conditions and seriously affect those with ailments. The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) is empowered to enforce the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Angry citizens took to social media to express their disappointment and debate the severe consequences of bursting firecrackers despite the ban. While some outrightly criticised the revellers not following the ban and polluting the environment, some sardonically mocked the situation :
The Honourable Supreme Court ha made a joke of itself by banning cracker sale in Delhi. The crackers are being burst despite the ban. Shame
！ Luvy? (@luv_datta) October 19, 2017
Crackers going off nonstop in the Delhi air. I wonder if the sale ban has actually reduced usage of polluting fireworks?
！ Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) October 19, 2017
Current scenario of UttamNagar, Delhi - Covered with a layer of smoke along with smell of crackers. #Diwali #Diwali2017 pic.twitter.com/42hQdmxnX3
！ Dipalay Dey (@dipalay) October 20, 2017
Everyone who burst crackers in Delhi today despite the SC order banning sales is an idiot. Shame on you for killing us all early.
！ ?_(ツ)_/? (@PranavDixit) October 19, 2017
#CrackerBanHitOrMiss without crackers Delhi air is so bad. SC please ban All ACs and Personal vehicles.
！ Anil Khanna (@anilkhanna248) October 19, 2017
SC : Crackers are banned this Diwali in Delhi.
！ Hemant? Ratan Singh (@hemantastic) October 20, 2017
Delhi ppl : "Hum nahi sudhrenge...thoda aur bigdenge.."
?? Not done!!
Pollution levels in Delhi this morning are 24 times more than prescribed limits. God help us all. This is a public health emergency.
！ Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) October 20, 2017
#DelhiPollution we are shangi Bhakts we don't listen to anyone. pic.twitter.com/d8sghZXrF3
！ Arif H B???? (@HadiBatcha) October 20, 2017
Wow Delhi! Your Selfish efforts for few hours' fun have raised Pollution by 24 times! Nxt tim, gather crackers in a jar & smoke-up directly!
！ Swati (@swatskat) October 20, 2017
#delhipollution
！ akshay jain (@dilsaeakshay1) October 20, 2017
Cannot tolerate such kind of double standards by the companies like @airtelindia they should have just wished #HappyDiwali pic.twitter.com/OqgB4xs7S8
This type of situation was from the last 10-15 days in Delhi- Gurgaon. So clearly crackers is not the only cause.
！ Gaurav Varmani (@gauravvarmani) October 20, 2017
And we were thinking youth is taking part in every decision making.
！ ABHISHEK DANGI (@abhishek_dangi) October 20, 2017
Thanks for proving us wrong.#CrackerBanHitOrMiss #delhipollution @ANI pic.twitter.com/NofwPbun7a
Plzz look at the video??
！ RJ Rishi (@DheetRishi) October 20, 2017
& Kindly show your mercy ?? #delhipollution #crackerban pic.twitter.com/iJGwewwxzl
Blaming crackers for Delhi's unbelievably severe air quality is like blaming the exam invigilator for your poor performance.
！ Kshitij Sharma (@ksharma7) October 20, 2017
Should impose complete moto vechicle bandh for 3days of Deepawali in Delhi NCR to curb pollution & ban animal slaughter on Bakrid & X-mas
！ NervesOfSteel (@rajkalanjoor) October 10, 2017
Soon we will see ban
！ Vikram Garg (@ToVgarg) October 10, 2017
1. Hindu last rights through woods
2. Ban havan also
Burning woods is also pollution
R v migrant in Delhi
