6-yr jail for bursting firecrackers in NCR

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 9

Amid resurgence of Covid-19 and high pollution levels, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) today banned the sale and bursting of firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region till November 30.

A Bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, said the order would apply to all cities and towns where air quality in November last year was in “poor” and above categories.

EDIT: Firecracker ban

In cities/towns where air quality was “moderate” or below, only green crackers should be sold and timings for bursting these should be restricted to two hours during festivals as may be specified by the state concerned, it said.

High pollution, Covid surge behind move

• High pollution levels in Delhi-NCR region and resurgence of Covid forced the NGT to ban sale and bursting of firecrackers
• It has told all states/UTs to initiate steps to contain air pollution in view of the potential aggravation of Covid-19
• The region battles severe pollution every year due to farm fires, vehicular pollution and construction activities
• The temperature this year dropped early, which made the matters worse

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said action would be taken against those violating the ban under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, which invites a jail term up to six years and a fine up to Rs 1 lakh. The newly-appointed Commission for Air Quality Management for NCR and adjoining areas too stressed the need to strictly enforce laws to cut pollution. The directions may bring some respite to residents struggling with smog with meteorologists expecting no help on the weather front.