After Diwali, Delhi Chokes On Toxic Air As National Capital Flouts Cracker Ban

Despite a firecracker ban, Delhi experienced "very poor" air quality on Diwali, with an Air Quality Index of 359.

Toxic air wrapped Delhi a day after Diwali as people flouted cracker ban.

Source : PTI

Delhi choked on toxic air on Friday as the national capital defied the firecracker ban during Diwali. On Friday, the city recorded "very poor" air quality with an Air Quality Index of 359, according to Central Pollution Control Board. 

 

An AQI reading between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 is considered 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 is considered 'moderate', 201 to 300 is considered 'poor', 301 to 400 is considered 'very poor' and 401 to 500 is considered 'severe'.

 

Areas including Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, Chhatarpur, Jaunapur, East of Kailash, Saket, Rohini, Dwarka, Punjabi Bagh, Vikas Puri, Dilshad Garden, Burari and many other neighbourhoods of east and west Delhi saw bursting of firecrackers.

 

Station	AQI
Alipur	347
Anand Vihar	394
Ashok Vihar	381
Bawana	384
Burari Crossing	392
DTU	291
Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range	374
Dwarks Sector-8	371
IGI Airport (T3)	372
IBHAS, Dilshad Garden	251
ITO	327
Jahangirpuri	383
Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium	335
Lodhi Road	349
Dhyan Chand Stadium	360
Mandir Marg	365
Mundka	367
NSIT Dwarka	345
Najafgarh	327
Narela	286
Nehru Nagar	376
North Campus, DU	387
Okhla Phase-2	352
Patparganj	353
Punjabi Bagh	387
Pusa DPCC	385
RK Puram	392
Rohini	382
Shadipur	320
Siri Fort	370
Sonia Vihar	387
Sri Aurobindo Marg	309
Vivek Vihar	367
Wazirpur	382

*Figures according to Air Quality Warning and Decision Support System For Delhi under Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology as of 6 am.

On Thursday, Delhi recorded an AQI of 327 at 9 pm which plummeted further overnight to 359. 

The pollutant PM2.5 level was recorded at 144 micrograms per cubic metre at 8 pm on Friday. The PM10 level was 273 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the CPCB's data.

PM2.5 is a fine particulate matter that is capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problems, whereas PM10 is a particulate matter that is 10 micrometres or less in diameter.

In order to curb the spike in pollution, the Delhi government had imposed announced a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers earlier this month. 

On Diwali morning, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai urged Delhiites to celebrate the festival responsibly. He appealed to the people to avoid bursting firecrackers in view of the heightened concerns over pollution.