Amid clear directions on the ban of firecrackers in the national Capital in light of the rising air quality index, it seems that the AAP led Delhi government is unable to implement it on the ground with firecrackers being sold openly in a shelter home run by its own department of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).
In the shelter home situated near to Bangla Sahib gurudwara and traffic training park, crackers were being sold in the open ahead of the festival of Diwali. The owner of the shop, who lives in the shelter, was alien to the concept of ban and shared that while she has only few, her fellow residents have purchased many from shops in Sadar Bazar.
“I only have a few in my shop. Although, other people in the shelter have already bought many in wholesale from the Sadar Bazar market,” she stated, adding that people burn these crackers on every Diwali since she has been living there for the past three years.
Near the shelter home, which has two gents quarters, two ladies quarters and two family quarters with about 200 people residing, is the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) New Delhi range. Moreover, there are also caretakers and guards present in the shelters even as there seems to be no awareness of the ban.
Another resident of the shelter claimed that such fireworks are burst by the people. “There are children who live here their family. They get very excited to burn the crackers and hence the parents have to buy them some,” a man said.
Earlier, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on October 14 had notified the ban on manufacturing, storage, sale and use of firecrackers in the city until January 1, 2025. In a notice, it stated that all kinds of firecrackers, including green ones, would be banned.
"In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 31 (A) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, read with Rule 20 (A) (6) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (Union Territories) Rules, 1983, and keeping in view the need in public interest to curb high air pollution in Delhi, DPCC hereby directs as under: There will be a complete ban on all kinds of firecrackers on manufacturing, storage, selling, including delivery through online marketing platforms, and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers up to Jan 1, 2025 in the territory of NCT of Delhi," stated an order by DPCC.
Every year, the air quality index registers record breaking numbers despite a complete ban on its sale.
In November last year, a day after Diwali, according to the federal government's Safar app, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was 445, with some places recording readings above 520 in the afternoon.
