Delhi Suffers Severe Air Quality as Smog Engulfs the City

Dense smog enveloped various regions of Delhi on Thursday, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reporting that the air quality has plummeted to ‘Severe’ levels. Measurements taken at 7:00 AM revealed alarming pollution levels across the city. Anand Vihar recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 419, while Aya Nagar showed 308. Jahangirpuri registered an AQI of 395, and Dwarka reached 359, placing these areas in the ‘Very Poor’ category. The elevated pollution levels pose significant health risks to residents in these districts.

Amid this worsening air quality, Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP National Convener and former Delhi Chief Minister, urged citizens to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers. At a press conference, he stressed that the true essence of Diwali is in lighting diyas, not in fireworks. Kejriwal remarked, “Even the Supreme Court and High Court say that, given the pollution, we should not burst crackers; we should light diyas. Everyone’s life is important.”

In response to the deteriorating air quality, Environment Minister Gopal Rai sent a letter to Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, requesting strict enforcement of firecracker restrictions. On October 14, Rai had announced a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, storage, distribution, and use of firecrackers in the city until January 1. He expressed concern over the open sale of firecrackers despite the ban, noting that they are being smuggled from neighboring states.

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