Delhi Environment Minister accuses ‘BJP people of instigating’ to burn firecrackers, raising pollution levels

BJP instigated firecracker burning on Deepavali, causing AQI to jump 100 points in Delhi. UP & Haryana police allowed transportation of firecrackers to Delhi. Delhi govt. extended dust pollution control campaign & launched month-long drive against open burning of waste.

People associated with the BJP instigated others to burn firecrackers on Deepavali, leading to an overnight increase of over 100 points in the national capital’s air quality index, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai alleged on Monday.

At a press conference in Delhi, he said the firecrackers burnt in Delhi were sourced from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and that certain individuals, including the police of these states, permitted the transportation of those firecrackers to the city.

“In Delhi, U.P., and Haryana firecrackers were burst at night in a targetted way and because of it pollution (AQI) has increased to 315 (‘very poor’ category). The way BJP leaders were instigating people to burst firecrackers, as a result of it, the air pollution has increased from 215 to 315 in one night,” Mr. Rai said.

"Delhi would not have been suffering had these states implemented the ban on firecrackers and their police did their duty properly," he added.

He also said that stringent measures, including a ban on construction work and the entry of polluting trucks into Delhi, under Stage IV of the Centre's air pollution control plan will continue in Delhi till further orders.

Mr. Rai added that the Delhi government has decided to extend its campaign to control dust pollution till November 30 and launch a month-long drive against open burning of waste from November 14.

Delhi recorded a jump in pollution levels and a smoky haze returned on Monday morning after residents flouted the ban on firecrackers on Deepavali night.