Delhi air 'very poor' all across on Diwali morning
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi's air quality remained "very poor" on Thursday, the morning of Diwali.
The Air Quality Index was 330 at 9 am and is expected to deteriorate further towards the evening as festivities take on.
Delhiites woke up Thursday to a sky shrouded in a thick layer of smog. The air in Anand Vihar, a major terminus, was especially polluted with AQI in the "severe" category.
Thirty-eight monitoring stations showed that air was in a "very poor" category across the city.
The 24-hour average air quality index on Wednesday stood at 307.
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'.
In 2023, Delhi residents enjoyed clearer skies and abundant sunshine, with an AQI of 202 in the morning, according to the data.
Delhi recorded an AQI of 218 on Diwali last year, 312 in 2022, 382 in 2021, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017, and 431 in 2016, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
Last year, a decrease in stubble-burning incidents and rain before Diwali, along with favourable meteorological conditions, prevented the national capital from turning into a gas chamber after the festival.
Delhi earlier in the month announced a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers.
On Wednesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced that 377 teams have been formed to enforce the ban on firecrackers across the national capital.
He said that authorities are in touch with the resident welfare associations, market associations, and social organisations to spread awareness.
Police teams have been formed to ensure that firecrackers are not burst.
"Legal action will be taken against those found bursting crackers. They may also be booked under the relevant sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) for violating government orders," an officer said.
Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicular emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources, contribute to hazardous air quality levels in the Delhi-NCR during winters.
According to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee analysis, the city experiences peak pollution from November 1 to 15, when the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana increases.
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Nikhil Kumaraswamy gets emotional during election rally, alleges Cong conspiracy in previous defeats
Ramanagara: JDS leader Nikhil Kumaraswamy said that he didn't know what wrong he had done to deserve two consecutive defeats in elections. He didn't know if his bad luck was the result of being the grandson of a former PM and the son of a former CM, he said. He was addressing a campaign rally in Kannamangala near Ramanagara on Thursday.
"I bore the brunt of Congress instigated conspiracy in two consecutive elections. I fell a prey for this conspiracy despite people voting in my favour. I am in a lot of pain. Today, I have competed in this election to respect the wishes of our party workers. Please make this youth win this time", Nikhil Kumaraswamy emotionally appealed to the gathering.
Shedding tears, the young JDS leader said that he was touring across the state to strengthen the party. "I want to connect with the last man in the party. It is very difficult to build a regional party. We are still standing because of your blessings", he added.
Nikhil Kumaraswamy said that Channapattana constituency was of high importance in the state by-elections as it was where his father, H D Kumaraswamy, had competed. "I am visiting each and every village. I make a humble request for your full co-operation and faith. Channapattana has seen a lot of development during the time of Deve Gowdaji and Kumaranna", he stated.
