As air pollution in the national capital worsens, the Delhi government today launched an anti-cracker campaign ahead of Diwali, as part of which, teams comprising local officials and the police will crack down on sale and use of polluting firecrackers.
Under the campaign launched by Environment Minister Gopal Rai, all SDMs and police officers, and 11 teams of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee have been directed to ensure there is no bursting of polluting crackers in the capital.
The teams will ensure effective implementation on ground, checking that the crackers sold must have a 'Green Cracker' logo on them, and that the crackers sold in the shops are from authorised companies.
As part of the campaign, Rai visited the Sadar Bazar area in Delhi to inspect the sale of crackers.
"As per the directions of the Supreme Court, polluting crackers have been banned in Delhi and only pollution-free green crackers have been allowed this year,” Rai said. “From today, an anti-cracker campaign has been launched in Delhi. We are following the guidelines of the Supreme Court. The Delhi government will follow any new directions to curb pollution as and when issued."
He said that every year, pollution levels in Delhi have been high due to the use of crackers around Diwali.
"We are witnessing COVID-19 and pollution at the same time. I want to appeal to the people, please do not burst crackers. I also want to appeal to them to only use green crackers," the minister said.
