"The BJP made them do it," says: Environment Minister Gopal Rai on bursting of crackers in Delhi

Delhi has reached its hazardous category of AQI, Mr Rai blames BJP to influence people to burst crackers.

New Delhi: The capital is shrouded with the thick blankets of smog. The AQI  has reached its 'hazardous category' followed by the celebration of Diwali night. Environment Minister Gopal Rai has lashed out at the BJP, accusing it of urging people to "burst firecrackers on purpose".

According to his statement, "A large number of people did not burst firecrackers. I thank them all. But some people burst firecrackers on purpose. The BJP made them do it." He also declared that the city's "base pollution level" had remained constant.

The Minister blamed smoke from 3,500 farm fires for the horrific air pollution in the city - which, fuelled by a combination of these and other factors, spike to off-the-chart levels this time every year, triggering a spat between the ruling party and the opposition.

According to the AQI report, the concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 stood at 999 per cubic metre at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

The neighbouring cities of the capital are also suffering from the increase in pollution rates after the festival. Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida have crossed 400 AQI also recorded 'severe' air quality with crackers bursting peaking after 9 PM.

As per the report, the violation of the bursting of crackers started at 7 PM in Lajpat Nagar, South Delhi.

An increase in the AQI has resulted in itchy throats, watery eyes and breathing problems among the Delhites.

This "affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases", the CPCB says. Airborne PM2.5 can cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases such as lung cancer. The WHO's recommended upper limit of PM2.5 pollutants is 25.