Despite the strict orders from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Haryana government and officials failed to implement the same, leading to deteriorating air quality levels in Haryana, especially the districts falling in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The overall air quality index rose past 400 on a scale of 500 in many cities indicating hazardous conditions. The air quality in Haryana on Saturday and Sunday early morning deteriorated to the “severe” category due to the bursting of firecrackers as the people made the mockery of NGT orders.
The severe air quality led to an increase in the problems of patients suffering from chronic and pulmonary disease.
In wake of increasing pollution in NCR, the NGT had issued the orders imposing a ban on bursting and sale of firecrackers from 10 November to 30 November 2020 in the region. The Chief Secretary and DGP were ordered to ensure the implementation.
At least 11 cities of the state emerged as most polluted on Diwali. The list comprises Fatehabad, Gurugram, Rohtak, Jind, Hisar, Panipat, Sonipat, Sirsa, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad and Bahadurgarh as these cities witnessed AQI level above 400.
It is pertinent to mention the Charkhi Dadri and Bahadurgarh were reported having an Air Quality Index (AQI) level more than 500 and continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations failed to record air level as the censors got choked.
The cities located outside NCR including Fatehabad, Sirsa and Hisar also emerged as the most polluted in Haryana following the dirtier air quality level. An AQI level of 491, 484 and 467 was recorded at 4 AM in the above three cities respectively on November 15, 2020.
The worsened air quality level proved that Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) and officials failed to implement the orders to control the pollution which raises questions about its functioning. Besides, a string of cities with heavy industries including Panipat, Sonipat, Faridabad, Rohtak and Dharuhera witnessed polluted air quality on Diwali as compared to previous days. Experts believed that worsened air quality and severe category pollution had adverse effects on the health of those people already suffering from pulmonary disease. Apart from this, the Corona epidemic also emerged as another reason which made the NGT impose a ban on bursting firecrackers.