Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai accused the BJP on Monday of causing a sudden drop in air quality on Sunday evening and attributed it to the “targetted” use of firecrackers in parts of the national capital on Diwali. He blamed individuals associated with the BJP for instigating others to burn firecrackers, resulting in an overnight increase of over 100 points in the city’s air quality index (AQI).
#WATCH | Delhi Min Gopal Rai says," The bursting of firecrackers has increased pollution levels in Delhi. Not many people have burst firecrackers but, it was done in some places in a targeted manner. The way BJP leaders were inciting people, its result can be seen today…" pic.twitter.com/RvxqS678u7
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2023
— ANI (@ANI) At a press conference, Rai said the pollution levels in the city increased on Sunday evening due to firecrackers. “The pollution level (Air Quality Index or AQI) was under 215 in the last three days, but due to firecrackers, the pollution levels have spiked. It has come to light that many people avoided using firecrackers, but in some places, firecrackers were burst on a large scale,” the minister said explaining the rise in pollution levels.
“The people of Delhi were cautious not to use firecrackers so that air pollution did not worsen. But the way the BJP leaders egged people (to burst firecrackers), people have to suffer due to pollution. I think the post-Diwali air could have been far better had the firecrackers not been used. I want to appeal to the people of Delhi that they should not come under the influence of the BJP which misleads the people because the air quality impacts us,” said Rai.
Rai alleged, “The only reason why the level of pollution has increased today is because of the burning of firecrackers. Even after the order of the Supreme Court, the BJP does not want to fulfil its responsibility.” He accused the BJP of wanting firecrackers to be burnt and claimed the police supported this in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
BJP hits back at AAP
In response to the allegations made by the environment minister, Kapil Mishra, Delhi BJP vice-president, criticised Rai’s statement on pollution as “shameful”.
“It is foolish to blame firecrackers for pollution. A week ago, Delhi’s AQI was 500. This morning, AQI is 296. How did the pollution levels reduce?” Kapil Mishra said in a video message posted on social media X.
“If there was pollution from firecrackers, then Gaza would have the highest pollution in the world. Fight pollution, don’t fight children’s firecrackers,” the BJP leader added.
Also Read:Delhi pollution: Odd-even returns to Delhi from November 13-20
Delhi’s air quality stayed in the ‘very poor’ category on Monday. The PM 2.5 levels shot up to around 30 times the permissible hourly standards for the ultrafine particle, with the spike in its concentration – between midnight and 2 am – expected to gradually push Delhi’s average air quality index (AQI) to the ‘severe’ category later in the day.
Another BJP leader, MP Manoj Tiwari, denied bursting crackers in Delhi in large numbers. “Very few firecrackers and green crackers were burst. But Congress and other parties have a problem with people celebrating Diwali. Their pain is that the people of Sanatan (Dharma) should not celebrate their festival. There was rain two days ago. What was the AQI before the rain, and how much is it now? It is less,” he told the news agency ANI.
Post-Diwali smog engulfs Delhi, AQI dips ‘poor’
On Monday morning, Delhi witnessed a surge in pollution levels and a return of a smoky haze as residents disregarded the ban on firecrackers during Diwali night. Despite recording its best air quality in eight years on Diwali day, with a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 218 at 4 pm on Sunday, the bursting of firecrackers late into the night led to an increase in pollution levels, exacerbated by low temperatures.
Anti-pollution measures, governed by GRAP IV regulations, will continue to be in effect in Delhi until the next order from CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management). These measures include the ban on BS-III petrol vehicles and BS-IV diesel vehicles, as well as the restriction on the entry of all trucks, except those transporting essential goods and connected to essential services, along with CNG and electric trucks.
(With Agencies Inputs)