After the Diwali celebrations the air quality of Delhi and the adjoining areas dropped down to very poor status with morning Delhi AQI at 247 at 08:00 a.m. as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Even after the ban on firecrackers, the sky in the capital was filled with pollutants making it unhealthy to inhale. The most affected parts of Delhi were R K Puram, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Nehru Nagar, Pusa, Okhla, and Mathura Road with more than 300 AQI.
Nation capital region is just little down from the severe status which could be a big concern to humans.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 301 and 400 is considered to be “very poor” and can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
As per the media reports, AAP leader and Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the bursting of crackers on Diwali has dropped down by 30 percent this year as compared to previous years and the city recorded better air quality after the festival.
He also acknowledged the people of Delhi for being thoughtful towards the environment this Diwali as the pollution level recorded was the lowest in the last five years.
Rai who was seen at the launch of 150 mist guns also mentioned that the guns will be sent to 40 regions of the capital having the highest air pollution.
It is noteworthy that the Delhi government imposed a complete ban on the production, sale, and use of all sorts of firecrackers until January 1, 2023, including Diwali. Despite being forbidden, firecrackers were nevertheless set off in various locations throughout Delhi.
Even the neighboring areas next to the capital had a poor to very poor quality of air. AQI in Ghaziabad was 301, Noida (303), Greater Noida (207), Faridabad (256), and Gurugram (325).