Delhi Environment Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai today alleged that the BJP made people burst firecrackers on Diwali. Rai said that while a large number of people did not burst firecrackers, some people burst firecrackers on purpose as the BJP made them do it. Rai said that the national capital witnessed the lowest level of pollution in October this year in comparison to the last five years.
“A large number of people did not burst firecrackers. I thank them all. But some people burst firecrackers on purpose. The BJP made them do it,” PTI quoted Rai as saying.
He said that some people had intentionally asked people to burst firecrackers during the Diwali festival as the opposition was underestimating the fact that pollution increases due to the bursting of firecrackers.
“Delhi recorded lowest pollution levels in October this year in comparison to the last 5 years. But pollution level is increasing for the last 3 days due to firecrackers bursting and an increase in stubble burning. However, it is lesser than previous years,” said Rai.
Delhi’s overall air quality today entered the ‘severe’ category with overall AQI standing at 531, showed the System of Air Quality & Weather Forecasting & Research (SAFAR) data.
“Overall air quality (is) in ‘severe’ category today after bursting of firecrackers on Diwali and presence of biomass pollutants in Delhi. The air quality and fog condition will improve once wind speed picks up. No wind and high moisture are causing fog conditions,” said RK Jenamani, Senior Scientist, IMD Delhi.
According to SAFAR, stubble burning accounted for 36 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 yesterday, the highest so far this season. On Thursday, farm fires accounted for 25 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra had criticised the Kejriwal government for endorsing the cracker ban, terming it an attack on the Hindu festival.