Delhi’s air quality, recently rated as “Very Poor,” showed signs of improvement this Diwali, with Environment Minister Gopal Rai crediting this positive change to residents’ responsible choices to light diyas rather than set off firecrackers.
Rai stated, “There were predictions of increased air pollution in Delhi following Diwali, but we can see that pollution levels have remained under control. This success is due to the collective efforts of the people of Delhi and all relevant departments.”
He praised Delhi residents for their responsible behavior, saying, “I congratulate the people of Delhi for choosing to light diyas instead of bursting crackers, contributing to pollution control. I hope that by next year, we can educate those who still choose to use firecrackers. Starting today, we are increasing water sprinkling across the city to help manage air quality. The limited use of firecrackers indicates a changing mindset among the people of Delhi.”
In an effort to further combat air pollution, the government has announced an increase in water sprinkling throughout the city. Truck-mounted water sprinklers have been deployed across the national capital, and anti-smog guns were used to spray water in areas like Akbar Road to improve air quality.
While the government focuses on enhancing pollution control measures, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allegedly misleading the public regarding pollution sources. The ongoing debate about the effectiveness of government policies remains a focal point in the city’s struggle with air quality issues.
Khandelwal remarked, “Arvind Kejriwal and AAP leaders want to mislead the public on the issue of air pollution in Delhi. By banning firecrackers during Hindu festivals under the pretext of air pollution, they aim to suggest that firecrackers are the primary cause of pollution in the city, which is completely incorrect.” He further asserted that the AAP government has not implemented any effective measures to reduce pollution in Delhi over the past decade.
