DIWALI YET AGAIN ADDS TO AIR POLLUTION

Soon after registering the cleanest October average in eight years, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi has begun deteriorating.During five to six days of November, it remained in Very Poor category. The outlook/ forecast by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) for subsequent days was between Very Poor to Severe categories. Even when GRAP-III restrictions were imposed in National Capital Region, Delhi had worst pre-Diwali air in eight years.The capital further logged most polluted Diwali in five years as indicated by CPCB.

NON COMPLIANCE FACTOR

Firecracker restrictions were widely violated and a ten year old boy lost his life after a firecracker burst in his hands.170 persons were treated for Diwali related burn injuries. Despite restrictions on sale and use of conventional firecrackers in Delhi and a stipulated 10 p.m. deadline for bursting so called green crackers, violations happened almost everywhere. Many people were seen in “burst mode”, well past midnight. Diwali day AQI of 376, therefore, can not be believed.It was much more.

On the day following Diwali of 2026, AQI recorded by fifteen weather monitoring stations of Delhi showed an alarming figure of above 400, while 35 showed it between 301 and 400.Only four stations reported satisfactory figures between 201 and 300. A few stations were reported shut down also. While saying so, one should not forget that doubts about measurement of AQI by the CPCB have been raised time and again.

Delhi’s AQI is forecast to move from Very Poor category to Severe one, over the next few days. There has been a sharp deterioration in air quality and a thick layer of haze has enveloped whole of NCR. Needless to say, pollution caused by current Diwali is perhaps much more mind boggling.

STUBBLE BURNING

To add insult to injury, smoke from paddy stubble burning was reported from 1200 places in Punjab alone. To contain seven fold rise in such farm fires, the Commission For Air Quality Management in NCR (CAQM)has already issued show cause notices to Deputy Commissioners of Jalandhar, Faridkot, Bhatinda, Barnala, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar and TarnTaran Districts. A sattelite of IARI has now detected 837 active paddy residue burning events across six northern and central states thus far. Punjab has recorded maximum at 440 followed by 216 in M.P. and 90 in Rajasthan. It may be noted that farm fires in Punjab are rising despite distribution of machines and equipments to farmers to manage paddy stubble.

FINDINGS OF IITM

According to Decision Support System developed by IITM, contribution of stubble burning to rise in AQI from neighbouring states is to the extent of 16.28% while emissions from transport accounts for 18.17%. (according to a source, as many as one lakh cars were purchased in Delhi alone on the eve of Diwali).

Air pollution level has remained on higher side despite fewer stubble burning cases seen in Punjab, Haryana and U.P. As per Punjab Pollution Control Board cases of stubble burning could rise in coming days as unseasonal rains had delayed the paddy harvest.

According to IITM, high baseline emissions emanating from road and construction dust alongwith vehicular, residential and pollution from industries also continue to push air pollution.

We should take care of damage caused by garbage burning, use of generators, emission from power plants, dust from roads having pot holes also.

A SILVER LINING

Due to compliance of BS-VI emission standards, large number of vehicles from U.P., Haryana and M.P.are being denied entry into national capital nowadays. Though many persons are being delayed and inconvenienced, ridership of Delhi Metro has risen to 80.54 lakhs (21.27+21.23 lakhs for Yellow & Blue lines). It is a good sign.

Conclusion

One has seen and commented on deteriorating air pollution mostly in NCR region. Other key environmental challenges are – noise pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, solid waste management, extinction of species, climate change etc.

These are registering a rise due to man’s enhanced interaction, rather dependence on his surroundings.

Should we not reduce consumption, resort to recycling and conservation of water & energy, cut down on use of plastic, polythene, vehicles, Cell phones, air conditioners, speed up tree plantation and SHOP WISELY ?

(The author is former Chief Secretary, Sikkim. Views are strictly personal)