According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a thick blanket of smog enveloped parts of Delhi on Thursday, with air quality levels plunging into the ‘Severe’ category.
By 7:00 AM, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar soared to an alarming 419, signaling hazardous conditions.
Other areas were also heavily affected, with Aya Nagar recording an AQI of 308, Jahangirpuri at 395, and Dwarka reaching 359— all classified as ‘Very Poor’ by the CPCB.
The high pollution levels have raised serious health concerns for residents across the National Capital.
In response to the alarming air quality, former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal urged citizens to forgo traditional firecrackers this Diwali.
Speaking at a press conference, Kejriwal stated, “Even the Supreme Court and High Court say that in view of the pollution, we should not burst crackers; we should light diyas. This is the festival of lights and not fireworks. It is not as if we are doing a favour to anybody. Whatever pollution will happen, our children will suffer from it, so there is no Hindu-Muslim in this. Everyone’s life is important.”
Kejriwal’s plea comes as the city’s air quality has deteriorated in recent days, prompting the Delhi government to implement stricter measures against pollution.
In an earlier move, Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai reached out to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, calling for urgent action against firecracker violations amidst growing smog levels.
On 14 October, Rai had announced a ban on the production, storage, distribution, and use of firecrackers in Delhi, effective until 1 January.
Gopal Rai informed LG Saxena that he has noticed vendors openly selling firecrackers in various markets of Delhi despite the ban. He pointed out that vendors bring these firecrackers through multiple borders connecting Delhi to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
“It implies that Delhi Police as law enforcement agencies have not taken the directions to ban firecrackers seriously and vendors are openly flouting the ban imposed,” the letter added.
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