Delhi smog: Govt bans crackers, only allowed during religious functions

NEW DELHI: As part of a slew of measures to combat the emergency situation arising out of severe air pollution and on the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, Najeeb Jung, the Delhi government on Monday imposed a ban on use of firecrackers anywhere in the capital, including marriage functions. Religious functions have been exempted from the ban which will be up for review at the next stocktaking meeting to be held at Raj Niwas on November 15.

Jung on Monday chaired a high-level meeting, attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Environment Minister Imran Hussain and representatives of other agencies. The ban on construction and demolition activities will continue till November 14.

On Sunday, Kejriwal had announced closure of all schools till Wednesday, imposed a ban on construction and demolition activities for the next five days and closed the Badarpur power plant temporarily.


The LG has also issued directions for strict action against polluting industries running in Delhi, particularly in non-conforming areas, and directed the corporations and Delhi Police to jointly launch operations for shutting down all such units. There are reports that many such polluting units are running illegally in congested unauthorised colonies and pose a serious health hazard.

The LG emphasized the need to take “extraordinary measures“ immediately to control air pollution, which had got compounded because of several factors such as the prevailing meteorological conditions, use of firecrackers and agricultural crop burning. Jung said only when the government and citizens of Delhi synergise their efforts can air pollution be reduced.

The corporations have been asked to control the fires at landfill sites, particularly Bhalswa. They will be doing so by using PWD construction and demolition malba and the sludge generated by water treatment plants of DJB.

Strict enforcement, including penalties, will be in place for burning dry leaves, garbage, tyres, plastic etc in the open. The agencies concerned will intensify the drive and take action against violators. A roster of officers in charge will be drawn up and action against officers found negligent during enforcement shall be initiated.