Amitabh Kant, Sherpa of the 2023 G20 Summit in India and former CEO of NITI Aayog, the Centre’s think tank, has declared that Delhi’s air quality “lies in shambles” and emphasised that only “ruthless and sustained execution” of pollution control measures can prevent the national capital from facing a “health and environmental catastrophe”.
He further criticised the Supreme Court for prioritising the “right to burn crackers over the right to live and breathe”. These remarks come in the wake of Delhi waking up to a thick layer of toxic air following a night of relentless firecracker use during Diwali celebrations. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 357, falling into the ‘very poor’ category, by 1 pm on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court lifted the ban on firecrackers, allowing Delhi residents to use green crackers for Diwali celebrations. The court stated it was adopting a “balanced approach, taking into account the conflicting interests and permitting in moderation, while not compromising the environmental concerns arising”.
It permitted firecracker use between 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm on two designated days. However, several areas in the Delhi-NCR region witnessed firecrackers being burst well past midnight.
In a post on X, Kant shared a news report highlighting Delhi’s air quality crisis, stating, “Delhi’s air quality lies in shambles: 36/38 monitoring stations have hit the ‘red zone’, AQI is above 400 in key areas. The Hon. Supreme Court in its wisdom has prioritised the right to burn crackers over the right to live and breathe.
Delhi remains among the world’s most polluted capitals. If Los Angeles, Beijing, and London can do it, why can’t Delhi? Only ruthless and sustained execution can save Delhi from this health and environmental catastrophe.”
Also Read: Water sprinklers deployed at India Gate to mitigate air pollution
He further outlined a comprehensive action plan, adding, “A unified action plan is vital – to end crop and biomass burning, shut or modernise thermal power plants and brick kilns with cleaner tech, shift all transport to electric by 2030, enforce strict construction dust control, ensure full waste segregation and processing, and redesign Delhi around green, walkable, transit-focused living. Only such decisive & relentless execution can restore the city’s blue skies and breathable air.”
On Tuesday morning, visuals across the national capital showed a thick smog blanketing the city, with many social media users attributing the situation to firecracker use. However, others argued that stubble burning in neighbouring states was the primary cause of pollution and questioned why Diwali firecrackers were being singled out as the main contributor to Delhi’s air quality crisis.
Also Read: Crackers ignite Diwali; Delhi's AQI enters 'very poor' zone
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