New Delhi, November 1: Residents across the country voiced their frustrations over worsening pollution levels, particularly due to the aftermath of fireworks and the burning of crop residue in neighbouring states. A thick layer of smog blanketed major cities on Friday, the day after Diwali, significantly deteriorating air quality in these regions and causing respiratory issues and other health problems.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), most areas in the capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) over 350, raising health concerns for residents.
Manish, a Delhi resident, expressed his concerns about pollution’s impact on vulnerable individuals. Speaking to media, he said, “Pollution has always been a problem, and it increases during Diwali because of the fireworks. The biggest issue is that it affects our small children the most. The elderly at home also face significant difficulties, experiencing breathing issues, eye irritation, and hearing problems. It becomes quite challenging for us. When I went outside, I could feel the pollution in the air, making it difficult to breathe. In my opinion, the burning of crop residue in surrounding states is the primary cause of this pollution. Fireworks have been around before and continue to be, but the pollution starts rising well before Diwali.”
Nitin also spoke about the continued use of firecrackers despite a ban in the city. He said, “Despite a ban on fireworks in Delhi, a large number of firecrackers were still set off. The question is whether these firecrackers increase pollution. The government knows what really contributes to pollution. The Delhi government has been blaming Haryana and Punjab for the last ten years. When Congress was in power in Punjab, they blamed that state, and now they blame Haryana. The burning of crop residue and the operation of unauthorized factories are significant sources of smoke.”
He further raised questions, “Shouldn’t this be controlled by the government? What does it mean to have a government? If the government doesn’t listen to the public, what’s the point of having a government? The current Delhi government was previously imprisoned, but now that they are out, do they really care about the people of Delhi? Are hospitals functioning properly? Now that they are back, how concerned are they? Sure, they worry about their own homes, but what about the rising pollution levels affecting the citizens of Delhi?”
“We should have artificial rain or something else to help provide relief to the people of Delhi, especially for children going to school. The government should think about how to alleviate the pollution issue, as it brings several problems. People are experiencing chest irritation, coughs, and other issues, often for no reason. And we, at the age of 50 or 55, are already struggling; imagine how hard it is for small children,” Nitin said.
In Anand Vihar, the AQI was recorded at 395, while Aya Nagar had 352, Jahangirpuri at 390, and Dwarka reached 376. All these areas reported ‘very poor’ air quality levels, posing significant health risks.The pollution issue wasn’t limited to Delhi; other cities like Chennai and Mumbai also reported similar conditions, with smog and poor air quality affecting large areas and residents voicing their concerns about the pollution levels linked to the celebrations.
In Ghaziabad, one resident commented on the fluctuating air quality.
“When it comes to pollution policies, you can see how much pollution is present. Just yesterday, it was very high due to the fireworks, but today the air is completely clear. There are no pollution issues at all; the weather is absolutely fine with no problems,” the Ghaziabad resident said.
Another senior citizen mentioned, “There is no pollution, and compared to yesterday, it’s a bit lower. However, the atmosphere is still dangerous for senior citizens, so they should not be outside. Overall, pollution today is less than it was yesterday. If we talk about today’s pollution levels, it is important to note that Diwali just ended yesterday. This year, the government imposed a ban on fireworks, which is why fewer were set off, leading to lower pollution levels. Regarding the air quality, it is clear now, and the pollution has disappeared. This time, pollution is indeed lower; that’s the reality.”
In Mumbai, a senior citizen shared their experience: “Yes, in the mornings, people come for walks, but there is so much pollution. It’s causing discomfort, especially in the throat, and there is a lot of dirt on the roads that needs to be cleaned. There should be better cleanliness here,” he told.
Another local resident, Vishwadev, expressed his concerns, said, “I want to say that pollution has increased a lot recently, and it’s quite overwhelming. You can see how much difficulty the cleaning staff faces. This is not good at all.” Gaurav added, “The pollution is normal, but the factories that are built here, especially the ones producing concrete, have caused major issues on the road. We have been coming here for a long time, but since they were constructed, it has created a lot of problems. What kind of difficulties do you face in the mornings compared to before? The climate is challenging, and pollution is indeed a serious issue.”
In Varanasi, the celebration was marked by fireworks, which disturbed the elderly and those with health issues. The sound of explosions filled the night, as many continued to set off fireworks in residential areas. This led to a clear link between the nighttime festivities of Diwali and increased pollution levels the following morning.
Every year, as the festival of lights approaches, there are growing concerns about the pollution caused by smoke and fireworks. Despite the worries, many people do not hesitate to spend money on fireworks. This year, the festival’s spirit overshadowed the warnings, leaving colonies like Gardenia Colony in Varanasi littered with waste. Local elderly residents have called for new guidelines on fireworks so they can enjoy a peaceful environment.