New Delhi: Delhi woke up to thick smog and worsening air quality on Tuesday following Diwali celebrations, prompting sharp criticism from Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bharadwaj, who accused the government of failing to control pollution and questioned why the “promised artificial rain” was not conducted.
Speaking to ANI, Bharadwaj said, “The government lies. The government said that after Diwali, we would fix all the pollution by conducting artificial rain. Did artificial rain happen? No. My question is that if you could have conducted artificial rain, then why didn’t you do it? Do you want people to fall ill? The government has a collusion with private hospitals.”
Residents face health issues amid severe smog
Residents reported breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and general discomfort due to the deteriorating air quality. Sagar, a local resident, said, “Pollution hasn’t just been increasing today; it’s been increasing for years. Everyone blames politicians, but the people themselves are like this. You’ll get firecrackers, but it’s up to you whether to burst them or not. Then they’ll complain that the government isn’t doing anything.”
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 359 at 10 am on Tuesday, falling under the ‘Very Poor’ category. Certain areas were even worse: Bawana recorded 432, Jahangirpuri 405, Ashok Vihar 408, and Wazirpur 408, placing them in the ‘Severe’ category.
During very poor air quality, residents may experience breathing difficulties, while prolonged exposure can trigger respiratory illnesses. The severe category impacts healthy individuals and seriously affects those with pre-existing conditions. CPCB classifies AQI levels as follows: 0–50 good, 51–100 satisfactory, 101–200 moderate, 201–300 poor, 301–400 very poor, and 401–500 severe.
Government measures and Supreme Court regulations
Ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court had relaxed its previous ban on fireworks in Delhi, permitting the sale and use of green fireworks under specified time slots. Despite this, the city saw widespread non-compliance, with residents bursting firecrackers beyond the designated periods.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region on Sunday to mitigate pollution. Measures under Stage 2 include intensified dust control, enhanced public transport services, and restrictions on diesel generator sets.
Experts have warned that even green fireworks can contribute to hazardous pollution levels, especially when combined with unfavourable weather conditions such as low wind and cooler temperatures, which trap pollutants near the ground.
Conclusion
The worsening air quality post-Diwali highlights the ongoing challenge of pollution control in Delhi, with residents caught between festive celebrations and severe health risks. Bharadwaj’s remarks underscore the political debate over accountability, while authorities continue measures under the GRAP framework to alleviate the crisis.