Govt to hold laser shows on Diwali

New Delhi: To encourage people to have a cracker-free Diwali, Delhi govt has decided to organise laser shows at 10 locations in the city on the evening of Diwali. Govt has also decided to conduct special monitoring of ambient air at three different locations for 15 days, starting a week before Diwali.
An official said the laser shows would start at 6 pm and continue for nearly four hours.They will be organised using high-quality laser equipment, synchronised with music and other visual effects, and will promote a cleaner and safer celebration.
The locations identified by govt include the central park of Connaught Place, Dilli Haat at INA, India Gate, Bharat Vandana Park in Dwarka, Garden of Five Senses in Mehrauli, Nehru Park in Chanakyapuri and the district centres of Karkardooma, Janakpuri, Netaji Subhash Place & Laxmi Nagar.
The laser shows will present an eco-friendly alternative to firecrackers and the locations have been shortlisted considering that a large number of people can gather and enjoy them. The locations, however, can be shifted to another place close by if there is a problem with their availability, the official stated.
Govt had started organising such events in 2019 when a four-day laser show was held at Connaught Place to encourage people to have a cracker-free Diwali.
Govt has already banned the sale, storage, and bursting of all types of firecrackers across the city until Jan 1, 2025. The air pollution in Delhi spikes during the winter season, and the bursting of firecrackers adds to local emissions.
The official said that govt would keep a close watch on air quality during the festival time. It has identified three locations— Satyawati College in Ashok Vihar, ITI-Shahdara in Vivek Vihar and National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases at Aurobindo Marg, where monitoring stations will be set up from Oct 24 till Nov 7.
These stations will analyse the presence of major pollutants in the city's air.