Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, speaking a day after Diwali, highlighted the impact of firecrackers on the national capital’s air quality over the years. In 2020, PM2.5 levels rose from 414 before Diwali to 435 after the festival, an increase of 21 points. In 2021, the post-Diwali rise was 80 points. In 2024, when conventional firecrackers were banned, PM2.5 increased from 328 to 360, a 32-point rise, Sirsa told a press briefing on Tuesday.
This year, after receiving permission for green firecrackers following a Supreme Court order and a Delhi government request, the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer App recorded a smaller rise: PM2.5 went from 345 before Diwali to 356 after, an increase of just 11 points, the minister pointed out.
He said, “In 2020, the firecrackers in Diwali were going on. At that time, PM 2.5 was 414 before Diwali and 435 after Diwali. There was an increase of 21 points in the firecrackers. In 2021, there was an increase of 80 points.”
He added, “In 2024, when the firecrackers were banned, the AQI was 328 before Diwali and 360 after Diwali. 32 points increased when the firecrackers were banned. On the order of the Supreme Court and on the request of the Delhi government, we got permission for green firecrackers… Before Diwali, the AQI was 345, and after Diwali, the AQI was 356, according to the CPCB’s Sameer App… Only 11 points increased when the firecrackers were allowed. Will you hold Diwali responsible for this? Will you hold the faith of all the Sanatanas and Hindus in Delhi accountable? What is the fault in this?”
Meanwhile, in response to the queries about cloud seeding, he said, “For those who are asking us, why are we not getting cloud seeding done. I want to tell them that in cloud seeding, the cloud comes first and then comes seeding. Seeding can only be done when there are clouds. The day there will be clouds, we will get seeding done, and there will be rain as well.”
Delhi residents struggled with breathing difficulties as the national capital recorded ‘very poor’ air quality levels on Tuesday, triggering political blamegame.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj criticised the BJP government in Delhi. He questioned about the promised artificial rain initiative aimed at reducing post-Diwali pollution. “The government said pollution would be fixed with artificial rain after Diwali. Did it happen? No. Are they letting people fall ill? Is there collusion with private hospitals?” Bharadwaj alleged.
Morning AQI readings across the city were alarming: Anand Vihar – 358, ITO – 347, Lodhi Road – 329, IGI Airport – 313 (‘Very Poor’ category). CPCB data showed Chandni Chowk – 326, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – 318, Rohini – 372, and Okhla Phase 2 – 353.