Provide details on pre and post Diwali pollution levels in Delhi: SC
The Supreme Court has asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to provide details on the pollution situation in the national capital and NCR pre and post Diwali period.
Submitting that bursting of firecrackers during Diwali in Delhi did not cause major health hazard for people but pollution level went up, CPCB said, “On Diwali day both PM 10 and PM 2.5 increased 2-3.5 fold in Delhi in comparison to pre-Diwali pollution level. SO2 &NO2 remained almost within prescribed limit.”
On December 15, 2017, the apex court had issued notice to the Centre and all states after a petition was filed seeking a complete ban on fireworks across the country and a slew of other measures to curb pollution and sought response within four weeks.
The petition filed by four kids led by Arjun Gopal though their lawyer had questioned how huge quantities of firecrackers were burst in Delhi and NCR even after the ban on sale imposed by the Supreme Court.
The petition said, “As far as fireworks are concerned, the conduct of the Delhi Police, the Central Government and the Delhi Government stand out as stark examples of how a complete lack of will and collusion with those who cause pollution can go a long way in attempting to frustrate the noble aims of this Hon’ble Courts orders.”
“After this Hon’ble Court’s order dated 9.10.2017 which suspended fireworks licenses forthwith, there was optimism that the parties would observe the outcome of a fireworks-free Diwali and measure the change in pollution levels. The documentation that follows would show the true picture. They are catalogued under the following heads: Comparatively marginal gains in air quality in 2017 as compared to data of 2016. However the levels were nearly 10 times the safe limit because firecrackers were burst in large quantities. There should be complete ban on the use, manufacture, licensing, sale, resale or distribution of firecrackers, sparkles of any kind throughout India”, the plea said.
The petition also asked the court to direct the Centre to renew the registration of diesel vehicles on an annual basis.
