Delhi wakes up to hazy skies, air quality continues to remain in ‘very poor’ category
Meanwhile, in order to combat, Kejriwal-led government announced a ban on crackers ahead of Diwali festival.
FollowNew Delhi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is expected to pronounce its order on firecracker ban amid the ongoing festival season and rising cases of COVID-19, on Monday.
On Thursday, the NGT had reserved its order on the imposition of ban on firecrackers across 23 states and UTs till November 9. It had issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and four state governments on whether use of firecrackers be banned from November 7-30 in the interest of public health and environment.
According to a report on India.com, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice AK Goel had sought response from MoEF, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Police Commissioner of Delhi and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The tribunal was hearing a plea by Indian Social Responsibility Network seeking action against pollution by use of firecrackers in NCR amidst the double whammy of the pollution crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the national capital continues to reel under air pollution on Monday morning.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Air Quality Index (AQI) is at 484 in Anand Vihar, 470 in Mundka, 465 in Okhla Phase 2 and 468 in Wazirpur, all in ‘severe category’.
Visibility remained poor around Indira Gandhi International Airport area due to pollutants in the atmosphere.
In order to combat, Kejriwal-led government announced a ban on crackers ahead of Diwali festival.
