On the occasion of Diwali, a huge increase in pollution was recorded in the country’s capital, Delhi. A significant increase in the level of pollution was observed at the pollution measuring stations in the capital. Real-time data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) shows that pollution levels increase in many areas after 5 pm. At most stations, the concentration is less than 100 micrograms/m3 at 17:00, and increases to more than 300-400 at 20:00.
RK Puram, Okhla, Jahangirpuri, Pusa, Nehru Nagar and Patparganj are some of the major stations in Delhi where PM 2.5 concentrations increased significantly in the early hours of Diwali cracker burning.
According to the agency, the city’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 328 at 4 pm, up from 307 on Wednesday.
Delhi’s air keeps getting worse
Air quality in Delhi is continuously deteriorating, on Diwali day it remained in the ‘very poor’ category, there is a possibility of it reaching ‘severe’ category due to bursting of firecrackers during the night. A thick layer of smog has been seen in the sky over Delhi since Thursday morning. The air in Anand Vihar area was highly polluted and the AQI was in the ‘severe’ category. At 8 am, the average AQI (PM10) of Anand Vihar was recorded at 419, while the maximum was 500. Every year, the sky of Delhi resonates with the sound of firecrackers bursting across the city.
The Delhi government has imposed a complete ban on the manufacturing, storage, sale and use of firecrackers. On the eve of Diwali, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had announced that 377 teams had been formed to enforce the ban on firecrackers in the national capital.
Also Read: Silver becomes expensive from Delhi to Mumbai on Diwali, know silver rate of other cities
What do the figures say?
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, in the year 2023, Delhi residents enjoyed clear skies and plenty of sunshine on Diwali, with an AQI of 218, while in 2022 it was 312, in 2021 it was 382, in 2020 from 414, in 2019. it was 337, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017 and 431 in 2016.
Last year, reduced incidents of stubble burning and favorable weather conditions along with rains before Diwali prevented the national capital from turning into a gas chamber after the festival. According to the data, the level of pollutant PM2.5 was recorded at 3 pm at 145 micrograms per cubic meter.
