Concerns Rise Over Air Quality in Delhi Ahead of Diwali Celebrations

New Delhi, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : With Diwali just around the corner, the air quality crisis in New Delhi is once again at the forefront of political discourse. The recent approval for the sale of green firecrackers has sparked intense debate. Saurabh Bhardwaj, the Delhi president of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), raised alarms about the potential for the capital’s air to become toxic once more, warning that Delhi could turn into a “gas chamber” after the festival.

Bhardwaj questioned the Supreme Court’s last-minute decision to allow green firecrackers, pointing out that the date of Diwali is known well in advance. He argued that if the court can advise better management practices, why was a timely decision not made regarding firecracker sales? The delay could complicate enforcement and management during the festival.

He also expressed concerns that regular firecrackers might still be sold under the guise of green alternatives. Bhardwaj asked whether manufacturers were aware beforehand that green firecrackers would be permitted, leading them to stockpile these products. Alternatively, he speculated that they may have produced regular firecrackers, which could now be marketed as green due to the court ruling. He criticized the enforcement capabilities of the police, questioning how they could differentiate between genuine green firecrackers and standard ones.

Bhardwaj did not hold back in his criticism of the BJP government and the Delhi police for their handling of last year’s pollution crisis. He alleged that corrupt officials had accepted bribes to allow the sale and use of regular firecrackers, resulting in a significant deterioration of air quality after Diwali. He noted that pollution levels became so severe that the Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring stations struggled to register accurate readings.

He accused the BJP government of manipulating AQI data by shutting down monitoring stations at night, thereby obscuring the true extent of the pollution problem. Bhardwaj emphasized that the government responsible for monitoring pollution should not be the same one suspected of tampering with data. He raised serious concerns about whether such a government could be trusted to protect the health of children and citizens in Delhi.

On social media, Bhardwaj continued to question the timing of the Supreme Court’s decision, insisting that regulations surrounding green firecrackers should have been established well in advance. He stressed that this would prevent the sale of regular firecrackers labeled as green.

He concluded by emphasizing that Diwali should be a festival of joy, not a reason for residents to breathe toxic air. Bhardwaj called for stringent oversight of firecracker sales and the public release of accurate pollution data. He warned that without immediate action, Delhi residents could face a severe pollution crisis following this year’s Diwali celebrations.