Pollution hits dangerous levels as NGT bans sale, use of firecrackers

Pollution levels in the national capital continue to remain in the ‘severe’ category, with the situation being so bad that thick smog is affecting visibility even in the middle of the afternoon. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has indicated that they expect the trend to continue unless drastic measures are taken.

Meanwhile, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday imposed a complete ban on the sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, given the air pollution crisis in the region. The NGT in its order said, “There will be a total ban against sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the NCR from midnight of 9-10 November, to the midnight of 30 November-1 December.”

Highlighting the pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR, CPCB’s V.K. Shukla said: “Pollution is a major issue for Delhi and NCR every year. This year, due to the recovery from the lockdown, we aren’t expecting great measures but something still needs to be done considering the general public health. Drastic measures need to be taken as soon as possible. Any bit of rain would certainly go a long way in bringing the AQI to breathable levels. People should stay indoors and not venture outside as both the coronavirus and pollution affect the respiratory system.”

The city’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 469 at 9 am. Its 24-hour average AQI was 416 on Sunday, 427 on Saturday, 406 on Friday and 450 on Thursday, the highest since November 15 last year, when it was 458. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. 

While 40-45% of the issue can be attributed to stubble burning in the nearby states of Punjab and Haryana, industries on the outskirts of Delhi also cannot be ignored. Sources in the Delhi government have indicated that they are not interested in shutting down these industries as these sectors have already been hit by the coronavirus lockdown and a further shutdown would completely destroy them. 

The NGT’s ban order will also apply to all cities/towns in the country “where the average of ambient air quality during November (as per available data of last year) falls under ‘poor’ and ‘above category’.”

In the cities/towns where air quality is ‘moderate’ or below, only green crackers will be sold and the timings for using and bursting crackers will be restricted to two hours during festivals like Diwali, Chhath, Christmas and New Year, as may be specified by the concerned State, the NGT said

This direction is in the pattern of the direction of the Supreme Court, which is being applied in areas which are moderately polluted or have below-average air quality, due to the aggravated effect of Covid-19, as already noted, the NGT further said.

“If nothing is specified by the state, timing will be 8 to 10 pm on Diwali and Gurupurab, 6 am to 8 am on Chhath and 11.55 pm to 12.30 am during Christmas and New Year’s Eve (which have yet to come and do not fall in November but if ban continues) and not otherwise,” the NGT added.

The NGT also said that in other places, ban/restrictions are optional for authorities, but if there are more stringent measures under the orders of the authorities, the same will prevail. The NGT also suggested that all states/UTs/PCBs/PCCs may initiate special drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of potential aggravation of Covid-19.

“The Chief Secretaries and DGPs of all the states/UTs may issue and circulate an appropriate order in above terms with appropriate enforcement guidelines to all the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police, PCBs/PCCs,” the NGT added.

The NGT also directed that the CPCB and the state PCBs/PCCs may regularly monitor the air quality during this period which may be uploaded on their respective websites. 

The tribunal was hearing a plea by Indian Social Responsibility Network, filed through Santosh Gupta, seeking action against pollution due to the use of fire crackers in NCR during this time when air quality is unsatisfactory and carries the potential of making the Covid-19 pandemic more severe.