Due to climbing air pollution levels in the populous cities of Delhi and Mumbai, any remaining World Cup matches hosted by these cities will no longer feature fireworks displays. This change comes directly from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The board recognized the fireworks as potential contributors to the already poor air quality. Remaining matches, including the last one in Delhi between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on November 6, as well as two more in Mumbai on November 2, November 7, and a semifinal on November 15, will all abstain from the traditional firework celebrations. 

On Wednesday, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said in a statement, "BCCI is sensitive to environmental concerns. I took up the matter formally with the ICC and there won’t be any fireworks display in Mumbai, which can add to the pollution level," reported PTI. 

"The Board is committed to combating environmental issues and will always place the interest of our fans and stakeholders at the forefront. The BCCI acknowledges the urgent concern surrounding air quality in both Mumbai and New Delhi," Shah said.

"While we strive to host the ICC World Cup in a manner befitting the celebration of cricket, we remain steadfast in our commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of all our stakeholders," he added. 

The State of Air Quality in Delhi 

Delhi's air quality has been on a steady decline over the past weeks, alarming the population. On Wednesday, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) fell into the "very poor" category, registering a troubling 371. The cityscape was shrouded in a shallow fog, a visual indicator of the severity of the pollution condition. 

Despite the implementation of anti-pollution measures detailed in the Winter plan announced by the AAP government, air quality shows no signs of improvement. Delhi residents are bracing for the arrival of peak winters, anticipating an intensified pollution crisis.

Mumbai's Pollution

Just like Delhi, Mumbai has been wrestling with its own pollution problems. The pollution level has troubled the local citizens and has also caught the attention of the judiciary. On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court took cognizance of the issue, expressing concern over the city's deteriorating air quality. 

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