Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has announced that there will be a "complete ban" on the production, storage sale and use of firecrackers in the national capital this Diwali.
The minister said the ban will remain in force till January 1, 2023.
"Production, storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers are being completely banned so that people's lives can be saved," Mr Rai tweeted.
Mr Rai said there will be a ban on online sale of firecrackers too, and an action plan will be chalked out after discussions with the Delhi police, Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Revenue Department to ensure strict enforcement of the ban.
इस बार दिल्ली में पटाखों की ऑनलाइन बिक्री / डिलीवरी पर भी प्रतिबंध रहेगा। यह प्रतिबंध 1 जनवरी 2023 तक लागू रहेगा।
प्रतिबंध को कड़ाई से लागू करने को लेकर दिल्ली पुलिस, DPCC और राजस्व विभाग के साथ मिलकर कार्य योजना बनाई जाएगी।
— Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) September 7, 2022The Delhi government had banned the sale and use of firecrackers last Diwali too due to concerns over alarming air pollution levels.
In addition to firecrackers, air pollution in Delhi during the Diwali period is made worse by stubble burning - a contentious practice - in neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab.
