Diwali Firecrackers

Delhi's Diwali: Noise levels surged most in Karol Bagh; RK Puram quieter

On Diwali, 22 out of 31 monitored areas reported higher noise levels than last year, with only nine areas showing a reduction

Firecracker bursting shrouds Delhi in smog, creating hazardous conditions

Relentless bursting of firecrackers blanketed Delhi in dense smoke on Thursday, causing severe noise pollution and reducing visibility, as people defied a ban on firecrackers to celebrate Diwali. The city's air quality dropped to the "very poor" category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 330 at 10 pm. Key areas, including Anand Vihar, saw the AQI plunge into the "severe" category while PM2.5 concentrations soared, creating hazardous conditions for respiratory health. In contrast to the clearer sky on Diwali last year, when favourable conditions kept the AQI at 218, this year's celebrations returned the city to its notorious pollution levels, a pattern worsened by unfavourable meteorological conditions, stubble burning and vehicular emissions. Although the city government had set up 377 enforcement teams and spread awareness through local associations to ensure compliance with the firecracker ban, neighbourhoods across east and west Delhi reported large-scale flouting of the ...

Fireworks ban: Sellers refuse to let their business bomb this Diwali

Several states have imposed formal restrictions ranging from limiting hours to manufacturing, storage, sale, and use

Diwali fireworks and air pollution: How to protect your respiratory health

Pollutants emitted by crackers may last in the air for day, troubling people with respiratory issues

Bihar bans sale, bursting of all firecrackers in Patna, 3 other cities

The Bihar government has banned the sale and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers, including green crackers, in Patna and three other cities of Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur to curb air pollution during Diwali. According to a circular issued by the Patna district administration on Thursday, "A decision banned the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers, including green crackers, in Patna and three other cities -- Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur -- to curb air pollution during Diwali, has been taken following a directive of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to maintain ambient air quality in all cities." "The bursting of firecrackers led to a lot of air and noise pollution as they released toxic air pollutants and particulates (dust). These produce light to dense clouds of smoke, affecting eyes, throat, lungs, heart and skin of the people," the order said. In other towns, only green or eco-friendly crackers will be allowed on Diwali. "Hence, the licence for sale of crackers will not

Delhi govt bans crackers to combat pollution, BJP seeks justification

The Delhi government on Monday imposed an immediate ban on the production, storage, sale, and use of all kinds of firecrackers across the city, effective until January 1. Reacting to the ban, the Delhi BJP questioned the rationale behind the annual restriction on firecrackers during Diwali and accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of implementing it without presenting any scientific evidence, according to a party statement. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai made the announcement and urged residents to support the government's efforts to curb air pollution. Rai in a post on X said, "In view of the increasing pollution in winter, a ban has been imposed on the production, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers from today till January 1." "The Delhi government has issued instructions regarding the ban, and we request the cooperation of all Delhiites," he added. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has issued detailed instructions to ensure the effective implementation of th

Payments major PhonePe launches firecracker insurance policy for Diwali

The plan can be purchased on the PhonePe app and provides coverage to families by insuring up to four family members, including the user, their spouse, and up to two children

Delhi imposes complete ban on firecrackers until 2025 to combat foul air

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has put a complete ban on all kinds of firecrackers on manufacturing, storage, selling, and bursting up to January 1, 2025

Three Indian cities among world's 10 most polluted after Diwali, Delhi tops

It had an air quality index (AQI) figure of 407, putting it the "hazardous" category, according to Swiss group IQAir

Courts can't enforce SC orders on firecrackers ban, social awareness needed

The judiciary and lawyers cannot enforce the Supreme Court's orders on firecrackers ban and stubble burning to curb air pollution as it can be tackled by creating a mass awareness, legal experts said. The Supreme Court's recent order banning the manufacture and sale of firecrackers containing barium was violated across the country on Diwali leading to worsening air quality index. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who represents the main petitioner Arjun Gopal and others seeking a ban on the sale and manufacture of firecrackers, meanwhile, has decided to move a contempt petition in the top court against the law enforcement agencies for the flagrant violation of the court's recent order. Speaking on the violation of judicial orders, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi was of the view no contempt will work in these kinds of cases where there are many contributors to the rise in air pollution. He said this is a social issue which can be effectively tackled creating a mass social ...

Need strictness with our control measures: CSE on Delhi AQI post-Diwali

This comes after the city was engulfed in a thick layer of smog following the bursting of firecrackers on Diwali night

Don't burst crackers, light diyas: Delhi Environment Minister on Diwali

The Delhi government on Sunday issued an advisory ahead of Diwali amid concerns over 'poor' air quality in the national capital

Delhi may see best Diwali day air quality in 8 yrs if firecracker ban works

A stringent enforcement of the ban on firecrackers holds the promise of delivering the best air quality on Diwali day in eight years for Delhi on Sunday. Delhiites woke up to clear skies and abundant sunshine, and the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 202 at 7 am, the best in at least three weeks. 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', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'. Saturday's 24-hour average air quality index stood at 220, the lowest for the day before Diwali in eight years. This time, Delhi saw a sharp improvement in air quality just ahead of Diwali which can be attributed to intermittent rainfall on Friday and wind speed favourable for the dispersion of pollutants. To put this in perspective, Thursday's 24-hour average AQI stood at 437. Delhi recorded an AQI of 312 on Diwali last year, 382 in 2021, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017

Don't burn crackers, use public transport: Delhi health department

From avoiding outdoor walks to saying no to burning firecrackers, the Delhi health department has advised a slew of measures in view of the pollution in the national capital. The advisory, published in major dailies on Saturday has also underlined that pregnant women, patients with underlying medical conditions, children and the elderly population should be more cautious and avoid exposure to air pollution. However, intermittent rains on Thursday night and Friday brought major relief from the hazardous air lingering over the national capital for two weeks. It also prompted the Delhi government to postpone the implementation of the odd-even car rationing scheme. At 7 am on Saturday, the capital's air quality index (AQI) stood at 219, which is a marked improvement compared to Thursday's 24-hour average AQI of 437. The city experienced "very poor" to "severe" air quality for two weeks starting October 28. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101

Delhi govt announces 'Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi' campaign after AQI drops

"We all should take responsibility for our own lives. One should not do work that increases pollution," Rai said

32% families in Delhi planning to burst firecrackers on Diwali: Survey

Around 32 percent families are planning to burst firecrackers in Delhi, while 43 per cent cited concerns about pollution as the reason for not doing so, according to a survey by a community social media platform. According to the survey by Localcircles that received over 9,000 responses from residents of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad, 32 per cent families in Delhi-NCR are likely to burst firecrackers this Diwali despite a ban on its sale and use. Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit, as a toxic haze persisted over the region for the seventh consecutive day. Many residents believe that stubble burning in the neighbouring states is the primary cause of increased air pollution in Delhi-NCR from late October to early November, the survey stated. "As per reports, the sale of firecrackers is not prohibited in neighbouring states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. In the last

Diwali 2023: Everything you need to know about 'Festival of Lights'

Diwali is celebrated on the darkest night of the lunar month of Kartika, which usually lies in the October or November month. This year Diwali will be celebrated on November 1

Air pollution scare fuels purifier sales in India as winter sets in

The stores, which usually sell five to seven purifiers a day, sold 50 air purifiers in a single day, earlier this week

Canada's Brampton city bans fireworks after a surge in Diwali complaints

Following a surge in complaints after Diwali in October, the Canadian city of Brampton unanimously moved a motion on Thursday to ban fireworks

Delhi saw 30% drop in incidents of cracker bursting this Diwali: Gopal Rai

There was 30 per cent less pollution on Diwali in Delhi as compared to last year and the city recorded its best air quality for the day after the festival in five years, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday. The air quality index (AQI) stood at 323 on Tuesday (the day after Diwali) as compared to 462 last year, he said. "People of Delhi were very thoughtful on Diwali this year and I want to thank them. Today, the pollution level is the lowest in five years," Rai told reporters on the sidelines of an event where he launched 150 mobile anti-smog guns. He said the anti-smog guns will be deployed at 40 spots across the capital where air pollution is high. The minister said that there has been a decline of 30 per cent in pollution level as compared to the previous year. "The AQI of 323 is still worrying and tells us that air pollution will increase in the coming days," he said. Rai further claimed the Punjab government controlled stubble burning in the state without support