Calls to Fire Department in Delhi Rise in Diwali 2018, 2-Hour Time Allotment to Burst Crackers Not Effective
The Supreme Court had allowed bursting of firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals.
New Delhi, November 8: Delhi plunged into thick smog as many in the city didn't follow the Supreme Court ruling. The Delhi Fire services Director said that they have received 271 calls on the night of Diwali, which is between 8 pm to 12 am, there were 125 calls, and between 6 pm to 6 am, there were 226 calls made to the fire department. "It means the two hours allotted by SC wasn't very effective as crackers were bursting till morning. The number of calls has also increased as compared to last year. On Diwali, SC Time Limit on Bursting of Firecrackers Defied In Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra Among Other States; Air Quality Goes Worse.
Delhi has registered the worst air quality of the year, as people defy the SC ruling. Major pollutant PM2.5 and PM10 are at above 500 in several areas of Delhi, bringing air pollution level to 'Hazardous' category. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data, PM2.5 and PM10 are at 500 in Lodhi Road area. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers a PM 2.5 density below 25 micrograms to be safe.
The air quality reached to 'Hazardous' level in Punjabi Bagh, Anand Vihar, Sonia Vihar, Mandir Marg, RK Puram, DITE Okhla, Mundka, Narela, New Delhi and Dwarka besides other areas.
The Supreme Court had allowed bursting of firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals. It had also allowed the manufacture and sale of only "green crackers", which have a low light and sound emission and less harmful chemicals.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 08, 2018 01:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).