CM Rekha Gupta lauds Delhi govt as post-Diwali pollution ‘drops’ under her regime

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday logically responded to the hue and cry over pollution in the aftermath of use of firecrackers on Diwali. Gupta said there was a decrease in pollution on the day after Diwali compared to previous years.

The CM added that, upon comparing pollution data with that of previous governments, the numbers have plummeted, while emphasizing that her government is doing whatever is possible for Delhi.

Advertisement

Addressing a press conference, she said, “We have all seen the data. If we compare the AQI of the day after Diwali with the previous governments, the number has decreased. Although permission was granted to burst firecrackers, the gap in AQI between Diwali and the following day has reduced, indicating a decrease in pollution. The government is doing whatever is possible for Delhi.”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, former G20 Sherpa Kant criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing the burning of so-called “green” firecrackers, reasoning that they are less harmful. Kant remarked that the apex court has prioritized the right to burn crackers over the right to breathe. He added that only ruthless and sustained execution to stop firecracker burning can save the national capital from an environmental catastrophe.

Residents of the national capital woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Tuesday morning, the next day after Diwali, as Delhi’s air quality took a severe hit following the celebrations. At 5:30 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 345, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Despite restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on the use of firecrackers, several parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed widespread violations on Diwali night.

On Tuesday, many monitoring stations recorded AQI levels breaching the 500-mark, a level categorised as ‘severe’.
The 24-hour average AQI for Tuesday was 351, a rise from 345 recorded on Monday.

The pollution spike comes as no surprise, as Delhi has historically grappled with worsening air quality during the post-monsoon and winter months. Low wind speeds, combined with emissions from firecrackers and stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana, contribute significantly to the toxic haze that envelops the city.