The Delhi government has extended a total ban on the sale and usage of firecrackers in the national capital till January 1, 2023, according to Environment Minister Gopal Rai.
In continuation of last year’s decree, the Delhi Government has extended the prohibition on making, storing, selling, and bursting firecrackers. This year, the government has also chosen to sell and transport firecrackers online. Rai further stated on Twitter that an action plan would be developed in collaboration with the Delhi Police, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and the Revenue Department to ensure that the prohibition is strictly enforced.
“This time there will also be a ban on online sale/delivery of firecrackers in Delhi. This restriction will remain in force till January 1, 2023. An action plan will be drawn up with Delhi Police, DPCC and Revenue Department for strict enforcement of the ban,” he said.
“In order to save people from the danger of pollution in Delhi, like last year, this time also the production, storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers are being completely banned so that people’s lives can be saved,” he added.
Keeping in view the dangerous condition of Delhi’s air pollution during Diwali for the last three years, last year too the government imposed a complete ban on the storage, sale, and use of all types of firecrackers.
Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal had said, “In view of the dangerous condition of Delhi’s pollution during Diwali for the last 3 years, like last year, a complete ban is being imposed on the storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers. So that people’s lives can be saved.”
To raise awareness, the government also launched the ‘patakhe nahi diye jalao’ campaign.
Back in 2020, the Chief Minister also urged traders not to store crackers in order to minimise losses caused by the ban’s late implementation.
From November 9 midnight to November 30 midnight, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) placed a comprehensive prohibition on the sale or use of all types of firecrackers in the National Capital Region. This year, Diwali will be celebrated in the last week of October.
Air pollution in Delhi has increased in recent years due to excessive usage of firecrackers and the burning of stubble by farmers in neighbouring states, prompting the Kejriwal administration to restrict the use of firecrackers.
