Delhi Minister Urges LG to Enforce Strict Measures Against Illegal Firecracker Sales Ahead of Diwali

New Delhi, Oct 28 — With Diwali just days away and rising concerns over pollution levels, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has urged Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to intensify action against the illegal sale and distribution of firecrackers in the capital. Earlier, the Delhi government issued a blanket ban on the manufacture, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers, effective from October 14 through January 1, 2025. In a letter to the LG, Rai highlighted the health hazards that firecrackers pose, particularly to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, noting that the ongoing illegal sales threaten to worsen air quality. Despite the ban, Rai cited reports of firecrackers being sold openly across Delhi markets, with supplies allegedly entering through Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. He urged immediate action by Delhi Police and other enforcement agencies, calling for regular inspections and enhanced border checks to intercept incoming firecracker shipments. Delhi’s air quality has been deteriorating, with the city recording an AQI of 327, in the “very poor” range, on Monday morning. Rai emphasized the need for vigilant monitoring to protect public health as pollution levels continue to climb, with several monitoring stations already reporting air quality in the “severe” category.