Is Diwali Responsible For Delhi's Air Pollution?

Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai in a Press Conference on Wednesday said that bursting crackers in National Capital will attract a jail term of up to six months and a fine of Rs 200. 

Moreover, the production, storage, and sale of firecrackers in the National capital will also be punishable with a fine of up to Rs 5,000 and three years in jail. 

However, Delhi's pollution on Wednesday had already reached the poor category with an AQI of 211, and according to experts, it will further deteriorate.

Significant contributors to Delhi's pollution

A research study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said that stubble burning is a significant contributor to Delhi’s toxic air in winter. 

Further, the lack of emission control technologies, vehicular emissions, and episodic events of stubble burning is also in the row. 

Disadvantageous meteorological factors such as low temperatures and wind speed, which do not allow the dispersion of pollutants further deteriorate the situation.

Role of stubble burning in neighbouring states

The major factor behind Delhi's Air pollution is stubble burning especially in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, where rice and wheat are grown.

Burning typically peaks during the first week of November, a time when many farmers set fire to leftover rice stalks and straw after harvest. 

As the new harvest season starts, paddy is burnt on a large scale, resulting in a dense layer of smog over the Delhi NCR. Low temperatures and slow winds trap the smog in one place and make the air unbreathable and hazardous for people.

Steps taken by governments to control pollution

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav held a virtual meeting with the environment ministers of NCR states, GNCTD, and Punjab to review the activities being undertaken and planned by the States to manage the issue of air pollution in NCR. 

Furthermore, a public awareness campaign -- Diye Jalao Patakhe Nahi (light diyas, not firecrackers) -- was launched on October 21 by  Delhi Government. In which the Delhi government lighted 51,000 diyas at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday. 

The ‘Green War Room’ is being used to monitor measures being taken this winter to mitigate air pollution levels and track the AQI and instances of stubble burning. 

Further, the Delhi Police has also set up 210 teams under assistant commissioners of police, while the Revenue Department has constituted 165 teams and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee 33 to implement the ban on crackers in the national capital.