New Delhi: In violation of the ban on bursting crackers in the national capital, Delhiites not only indulged in fireworks but also burst loud crackers on Diwali night.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had last week said that bursting firecrackers on Diwali in Delhi could attract a jail term of up to six months and a fine of Rs 200.
As the night progressed, the sound of firecrackers grew louder and it also violated the permissible decibel limit. Despite rules being framed to prevent people from bursting crackers, people started fireworks in various areas of the city, from south to north east and northwest Delhi, as soon as evening.
The festival of Diwali was celebrated across the country on Monday. Bursting crackers on this day is an old tradition, but city officials said the decision to ban fireworks was taken due to environmental and health concerns.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘very poor’ category on Monday amid rising incidents of stubble burning and favourable weather conditions that help increase air pollution.
However, the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 312, the second best AQI in seven years on Diwali day. Earlier in 2018, the AQI was recorded at 281 on Diwali.