'Fulfill Duty To Humanity': Gopal Rai Urges Delhi To Celebrate Diwali Responsibly As AQI Remains 'Very Poor'

The AAP leader emphasised that "tonight is very important" as the AQI has started to increase and that more than police enforcement, it is crucial Delhiites fulfil their "duty to humanity".

Delhi Minister Gopal Rai urged Delhi to celebrate Diwali responsibly and warned that the AQI had already started to increase.

Source : PTI

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday urged Delhiites to celebrate the festival of Diwali responsibly today as the Air Quality Index in several parts of the national capital remains "very poor", with some areas experiencing "severe" pollution. He appealed to the people of Diwali to avoid bursting firecrackers given the heightened concerns over pollution, warning that the AQI of the city has already started to increase.

The AAP leader emphasised that "tonight is very important" and that it is more important than police enforcement that people fulfil their "duty to humanity".

He highlighted the significance of Diwali, urging people to celebrate the festival of lights with diyas and sweets and not by bursting crackers, which would harm children and old people the most.

"In some places, the AQI has increased but tonight is very important. If we all try to come together and keep one thing in mind that we have to celebrate Diwali with diyas and distribute sweets and not create problems for children and elders in our homes by burning crackers. If the whole of Delhi takes care of the lives of our children and elders, then I think that we can save Delhi from the smoke that happens every year after Diwali...Such incidents (of bursting firecrackers) are coming to notice and the police are working on them on the ground. Such incidents happening at night will also be stopped...I believe it is more important than police enforcement that we all fulfil our duty to humanity..."

#WATCH | Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, "In some places, the AQI has increased but tonight is very important. If we all try to come together and keep one thing in mind that we have to celebrate Diwali with diyas and distribute sweets and not create problems for… pic.twitter.com/ffSdN5HqVN

— ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2024

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Anand Vihar registered an AQI of 412, fallig under the "severe" catergory.  Bawana registered an AQI of 358, Dwarka-Sector 8 stood at 367, IGI Airport (T3) stood at 332, Pusa at 320, and North Campus DU stood at 329, all falling under the "very poor" category. These observation were recorded as of 2 PM on October 31. 

As part of efforts to curb pollution, the Delhi government deployed 377 teams across the national capital to enforce a ban on firecrackers. Gopal Rai had also announced that 19,005 kg of firecrackers have been seized in raids so far, with 79 cases filed against violators.