This refers to the editorial, “Banning not a solution” (October 10). Prohibition on the sale of fire crackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region is one judgement that can well be dissected on the lines of a wholesale ban vis-à-vis partial sale or regulation though the terrible gas chamber that Delhi becomes during October-November. Admittedly, the problem is not confined to these two months, and certainly not up to November 1, but some beginning had to be made. Of course, there isn't any clarity on whether crackers can still be procured from outside. It is always possible that clandestine black marketing of cracker may happen.
More awareness has to be created among the public on their tendency to ignore the chronic effects of acute and sustained air pollution by providing themselves temporary relief for the acute problems. After Diwali, a holistic approach towards control of air pollution should be done because the apex court’s order cannot be construed merely as an experimental one. The court should be briefed on the action taken by the authorities to reign-in cracker sale. An exhaustive assessment on the impact, or otherwise, of the cracker ban on air pollution should be undertaken post-Diwali. The apex court would do well to take stock of the whole gamut of pollution in the NCR in the coming months.