The
Supreme Court on Monday (November 4) expressed its dissatisfaction with the
Delhi government's management of the firecracker ban during Diwali, indicating
that the restrictions were "hardly implemented" across the national
capital. Noting that pollution levels reached unprecedented heights this
Diwali, the court has demanded explanations from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
government and the Delhi police regarding the failure to enforce the ban.
The
apex court highlighted that shops openly selling banned fireworks are in clear
violation of its order. The bench remarked, “The effect of non-implementation
is evident,” referencing a report from the Centre for Science and Environment
(CSE), which indicated that pollution levels during this Diwali exceeded those
of previous years.
Furthermore,
the report revealed a notable rise in farm fires during this period, which
worsened the air quality crisis in Delhi. The court has directed the Delhi
government and police to present specific measures to prevent a recurrence of
this situation in the future. It also recommended sealing shops that violate
the ban as a means of establishing a firm precedent.
“We
will examine this issue thoroughly,” stated the court. Additionally, the
court has urged the Delhi government to contemplate a year-round ban on
firecrackers to address ongoing air quality challenges in the city. Government
measures In response to the hazardous air quality, Delhi authorities
had attempted to enforce a comprehensive ban on firecrackers. The Delhi Police
and the Revenue Department mobilised a total of 377 teams to prevent the sale
and use of fireworks.
These
efforts resulted in the registration of 79 cases and the confiscation of 19,005
kg of firecrackers. The ban, which prohibits all types of firecrackers
until January 1, 2025, was enacted by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee
earlier this month after a significant decline in air quality following
Dussehra. Significantly, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting
and Research (SAFAR) has cautioned that emissions from firecrackers and
agricultural burning may further compromise air quality. The gravity of
the situation has led authorities to activate Stage II of the Graded Response
Action Plan (GRAP) as of October 22, 2024.