Despite ban across nation, Firecrackers break record of several years but ironically, pollution level decreased

Bursting of firecrackers could be heard across Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and their neighbouring areas on Diwali night even though a ban was imposed on its sale and use in the national capital region in view of rising air pollution and COVID-19 pandemic.

Sparklers were seen lighting up the night sky while crackers went off on the ground in cities all across the country breaking records of crackers bursts despite the ban and the pandemic.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had on Monday imposed a total ban on sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR) till November 30 midnight. Along with that, the NGT had banned firecrackers in 23 states throughout the country although a few of them backed out.

Ironically when looked at the pollution level, the pollution level stayed almost the same on Saturday and Sunday, although only a few regions saw a rise in pollution levels.

When we compared the pollution level to previous days, the AQI of PM10 touched 999 on Thursday night in Okhla region of Delhi but the same location's AQI had decreased to 351 on the morning after Diwali.

No wonder why it is said that firecrackers merely contribute to 0.06% pollution while the real pollutants are the vehicles, farmers burning stubble, and sand constituents in the air which have no relation with crackers.