Delhi Govt. encourages green crackers and launches anti-firecrackers campaign

Last updated on February 20th, 2023 at 01:21 pm

The Delhi-NCR is still struggling with hazardous AQI levels and rising pollution, majorly due to stubble burning in neighboring states. Considering the dire situation and also due to the approaching the Diwali festival, the Delhi Government has launched an anti-firecracker campaign from November 3.

The campaign includes 11 special squads of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).The city police will assess firecracker manufacturing units to make sure that no last year’s firecrackers stocks are left for sale. 

The AAP govt’s move to start an ‘anti-firecrackers campaign’ comes after taking into account the upcoming Diwali celebration when the city’s atmosphere gets choked with the crackers smoke and dense smog for days. 

On October 9, the AAP government had set up a ‘green war room’ at the Delhi Secretariat to check pollution levels in Delhi during the winter season.

Three big screens have been set up in the green room that will check 13 hotspots and 40 real-time monitors in Delhi Capital. 

A 10 member team has been formed to study and check the levels of primary pollutants; the status of grievances received via the Green Delhi mobile app, and further check measures to contain the pollution levels.

On Wednesday, Environmental Minister Gopal Rai requested residents to cut down on burning crackers during the festival of Diwali and if they wish to burn firecrackers, then only use ‘green firecrackers’. 

In October 2018, the Supreme Court of India permitted the bursting of low-emission crackers called ‘green crackers’ and relaxing the ‘total ban’ order given in 2017. The green firecrackers were researched and produced by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) according to the court’s order. 

The green crackers have a small shell size contrasted to traditional firecrackers. They are manufactured utilizing less harmful substances and reduce emissions by suppressing particles. 

Presently, the firecrackers business in India has estimated around ₹1,800 crores per year. CSIR has signed deals with 230 companies to begin the manufacturing of green crackers.

The green firecrackers do not contain synthetic hazardous substances, for example, lead, lithium, barium, and arsenic. They are called Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR), Safe Water Releaser (SWAS), and Safe Minimal Aluminum (SAFAL) crackers. 

The green firecrackers don’t let dust particles to rise and help release water vapors to save the environment. They are intended to have 30% less particulate matter air pollution. The QR codes on green crackers will also assist shoppers scan and identify the original product details.

The guidelines are being set for the buying and selling of green crackers in Delhi Capital. On Oct 10, Rai said, soon, the concerned departments will be informed regarding the guidelines.

Delhi’s air quality remained very poor category on Monday morning as the general air quality Index (AQI) was 381. According to the forecast, PM10 pollutants in Delhi will decrease to 318 on Tuesday, which also falls in the same category. The PM2.5 pollutants are required to tumble down to 195, but still, it will remain in the very poor category level.

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