Limited Monitoring and Unchecked Sales Fuel Violations
Delhi government’s efforts to curb firecracker use were extensive. With 377 enforcement teams in place and awareness campaigns across local associations, you’d think the ban would be effective. However, despite these measures, the eastern and western parts of the city reported significant violations.
Experts point to unchecked sales as a critical problem. Despite the ban, firecrackers from neighboring regions where restrictions are loose still found their way into Delhi. “The porous Delhi-NCR borders make it easy for people to buy firecrackers without any difficulty,” said Rajiv Kakria, convener of Save Our City, a collective of resident welfare associations, NGOs, and activists Delhi cracker ban.
The Challenge of Cross-Border Smuggling
It’s not just a simple case of people breaking the rules. The borders between Delhi and the NCR are not well-guarded, making it easy for firecrackers to slip through. “It’s challenging to impose this ban because, while firecrackers are banned in Delhi, they can easily be obtained from neighboring areas,” Kakria explained.
Furthermore, the enforcement at the borders and police patrolling within city limits were limited. This inadequate monitoring enabled many to bypass the restrictions and set off crackers, enveloping the city in thick smog.
Police and DPCC at Odds Over Enforcement
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) conducted awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of bursting crackers. However, enforcement of the ban fell to the Delhi Police. This division of responsibility has caused some friction.
A senior DPCC official mentioned, “We conducted several awareness campaigns against bursting crackers, but enforcing the ban was the Delhi Police’s responsibility.” In contrast, a senior police officer defended the department, arguing that they took necessary actions against violators, including booking them under Section 223 of the BNSS, which addresses the violation of prohibitory orders.
Air Quality: A Mixed Bag of Outcomes
The widespread use of firecrackers had a significant impact on Delhi’s air quality. On Diwali night, the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to the “very poor” category, reaching 330 at 10 PM. Areas like Anand Vihar experienced even worse conditions, with AQI levels plunging into the “severe” range and PM2.5 concentrations spiking dangerously high.
Yet, this year’s pollution levels weren’t as catastrophic as initially feared. Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Meteorology and Climate Change at Skymet, pointed out that favorable weather conditions played a role in mitigating pollution. “Since last night, wind began flowing from the northwest at a good speed, which dispersed pollutants,” he explained. Additionally, the temperature didn’t drop, which often leads to more smog formation.
Weather Plays Savior, But Trouble Looms Ahead
Currently, the wind speeds range between 10 to 15 km/h, helping to keep pollutants dispersed. However, Palawat warned that this relief might be short-lived. The wind direction is expected to shift southeast around November 2, potentially causing pollution levels to rise and pushing the air quality into the severe category by November 3 Delhi cracker ban.
Institutional Failures: A Broader Issue?
Experts believe that the inability to enforce the cracker ban reflects a broader institutional failure. Rajiv Kakria compared the situation to the COVID-19 lockdowns, when both authorities and the public complied more strictly because the measures were imposed effectively.
Atul Goyal, president of United RWAs Joint Action, an umbrella organization representing 2,500 RWAs across Delhi, echoed this sentiment. He criticized the slack enforcement, pointing out that “firecrackers were being sold on the streets in many localities,” making it nearly impossible for the police to apprehend every vendor. “People had easy access to firecrackers,” Goyal lamented, emphasizing the need for a more coordinated strategy across the region.
Administrative Defense: Police Push Back
Delhi cracker ban, Despite the criticism, Delhi Police maintain that their efforts were not a complete failure. “We cannot say it was a failure of administration as we managed to restrict people from bursting crackers in Delhi,” a senior officer argued. He admitted, however, that many people brought crackers from neighboring states, making it difficult to enforce the ban fully.
The Ban’s Scope: What’s Covered?
The DPCC’s directive issued on October 14 explicitly states a complete ban on manufacturing, storage, sale, and use of all firecrackers until January 1, 2025. Yet, the real-world implementation of this sweeping ban is far from simple.
Comparisons to Past Years
In previous years, similar bans were implemented with varying degrees of success. This time around, the enforcement measures didn’t seem to resonate as strongly with the public. The fireworks continued to light up the sky, and the smog that followed once again underscored the city’s perennial pollution problem.
Coordination Challenges Across Jurisdictions
One of the main challenges is the lack of coordinated action across different jurisdictions. While Delhi has a strict ban, neighboring states do not, creating a regulatory patchwork that undermines enforcement. Atul Goyal called for a more unified regional strategy, suggesting that only a collaborative effort could bring about meaningful change.
Residents’ Frustration and the Way Forward
Residents and environmental activists are frustrated. The annual struggle to breathe clean air around Diwali has become a painful reminder of the city’s environmental woes. More robust monitoring systems, stricter border checks, and real-time enforcement tools are urgently needed.
Conclusion
In the end, Delhi’s battle against firecracker pollution remains an uphill task. Despite the best efforts of the DPCC and Delhi Police, the reality is that people still found ways to flout the ban. It’s a wake-up call for authorities to rethink their strategies and address the underlying enforcement gaps.
Final Thoughts
Delhi cracker ban, Until there’s a more coordinated and comprehensive approach involving all stakeholders, from policymakers to residents, the city will continue to struggle with pollution every Diwali. This isn’t just about enforcing a ban; it’s about protecting public health and ensuring a cleaner, safer future for everyone in Delhi.
