With the Air Quality in the national capital deteriorating ahead of the Winter season, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has urged the Union government to enforce a strict ban on stubble burning in the entire National Capital Region and allow only CNG/electric vehicles. "Delhi's steps to curb air pollution won't be effective till NCR states check pollution sources," Gopal Rai told Centre, as reported by news agency PTI. The Environment Minister has also urged the Centre to implement a complete ban on firecrackers in NCR.
The request comes as according to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) data, an increase in farm fires was witnessed in the states of Punjab and Haryana this year from September to October compared to the same time in 2022, reported the Mint.
Every year Delhi witnesses a sharp rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) due to the pollution generated by firecrackers and farm fires. The Delhi government aims to curb pollution this year with the Arvind Kejriwal-led government reimposing a ban on the manufacturing, sale, storage, and use of all kinds of firecrackers as part of an action plan to reduce pollution levels in winter.
The AAP dispensation has been following the practice of banning all kinds of firecrackers for the past three years. While speaking on the ban, Environment Minister Gopal Rai earlier said that there has been a considerable improvement in Delhi's air quality in the last five to six years. PTI quoted him as saying, "We have seen a considerable improvement in Delhi's air quality in the last five to six years but we have to improve it further. Therefore, we have decided to ban firecrackers this year too."
Similarly, the district administration of Haryana's Gurugram has also announced a ban on manufacturing, selling, and use of firecrackers from November 1 till January 31, 2024. District Magistrate Nishant Kumar Yadav while talking to the news agency ANI said that the ban is applicable on all types of firecrackers except for green firecrackers and barium salt. The District Magistrate said that this order has been issued in the public interest to curb pollution.
This announcement of the Gurugram administration came a month ahead of Diwali which will be celebrated on November 12.