Two Indian cities join Delhi in world’s most polluted list after Diwali

• Image Credit: Google

• Nov 13, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Two other major Indian cities also experienced severely deteriorated air quality post-Diwali...

Digital Desk: Delhi woke up to a thick haze engulfing the city today as a result of widespread flouting of the ban on firecrackers during Diwali. The morning air was shrouded in pollution, with the city recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 420, surpassing the 'hazardous' category, according to IQAir.

Notably, two other major Indian cities, Kolkata and Mumbai, also experienced severely deteriorated air quality post-Diwali. Kolkata found itself in the fourth position, while Mumbai secured the eighth spot in the list of the world's top 10 most polluted cities.

The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) reported that the AQI in several parts of Kolkata exceeded the 250 mark. Meanwhile, Mumbai's AQI dipped to the 'poor' category at the 234-mark, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR-India).

The Supreme Court had, on November 7, imposed a ban on firecrackers containing barium and other prohibited chemicals, extending the ban nationwide rather than confining it to the Delhi-NCR region, which faces severe air pollution annually.

The Court emphasized the need for responsible celebration, stating, "Celebration can be done only if you share what you have. Not by polluting the environment. If you do that, you are being selfish...These days it’s not the children who do it, but the elders are burning more crackers."

Despite the court's order, firecrackers were burst across the country, intensifying on Diwali night. The lack of enforcement drew criticism, with Congress MP Manish Tewari stating, "It is ironic that a country that could close down at a four-hour notice for lockdown cannot control or implement a Supreme Court order."

This failure to implement restrictions raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of measures to combat air pollution. Stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial activities also contribute significantly to deteriorating air quality in Delhi and other major cities, compounding the challenge of ensuring a breathable environment for citizens. The need for coordinated efforts and stricter enforcement of regulations to combat the sources of pollution has never been more urgent.