Firecrackers Brought From UP, Haryana In Delhi: Minister Gopal Rai Blames BJP For Increased Pollution Levels Post-Diwali

Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, alleged on Monday (13 November) that the firecrackers ignited in the national capital on Diwali night were sourced from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, both governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Rai claimed that the police in these states allowed the transportation of firecrackers to Delhi, and he accused the BJP governments in these states of being involved.

"There is a ban on the production, storage, and sale of firecrackers in Delhi. The firecrackers were brought to Delhi from UP and Haryana. The police of Delhi, Haryana, and UP are under the control of the BJP, and no common man can easily supply the firecrackers amid the monitoring of these three police forces. Some specific people have done this," Rai stated during a press conference.

Additionally, Rai announced that anti-pollution measures under GRAP IV regulations would remain enforced in Delhi until the next order of CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management). This includes the continuation of the ban on BS-III petrol vehicles and BS-IV diesel vehicles, as well as restrictions on truck entry, except those carrying essential goods and connected to essential services, CNG, and electric trucks.

Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI on Sunday was recorded at 218 at 4 pm by the Central Pollution Control Board and started to rise after 8 pm. By 10 pm, it was at 230, 240 at midnight, 244 at 2 am, 250 by 4 am, 266 by 6 am, 283 at 8 am and reached 301 by 10 am on Monday. PM 2.5 remained the prominent pollutant, showcasing the impact of combustion sources – in this case, firecrackers.