Other than burning of firecrackers, stubble burning in neighbouring states too worsens the air quality of the national capital.
The Delhi government on Wednesday announced a ban on storage, sale and usage of firecrackers citing air pollution in the capital during the festival season of Diwali. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that like last year, a complete ban is being imposed on storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers citing the severe condition of Delhi's pollution during Diwali in the last three years.
Mr. Kejriwal said that since the ban had been imposed late last year, traders had continued to stock and sell firecrackers which resulted in losses in business as well as rise in air pollution. Last year, the day after Diwali had recorded the worst air quality levels in four years. PM2.5 levels were around six times the safe limit while PM10 levels were nearly 10 percent more than the safe limit.
Citing "losses to traders" last year, Mr. Kejriwal appealed to all traders not to stock or sell firecrackers. Other than burning of firecrackers, stubble burning in neighbouring states such as Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh too worsens the air quality of the national capital.
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