Firecrackers are banned in choking New Delhi ahead of Diwali festivities

INDIA’S Supreme Court has temporarily banned the sale and distribution of firecrackers in the capital New Delhi ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in an attempt to control escalating air pollution.

The court ruled yesterday that the ban would last until Nov 1, 13 days after Diwali. But it declared that those who had already bought firecrackers would be allowed to set them off.

The order came in response to several petitions, including one by children, demanding a ban on polluting firecrackers which last year saw the city’s air reaching hazardous levels and the closure of its schools for three days.

Around 50,000 tons of firecrackers are let off every year around Diwali to celebrate the victory of good over evil. “We are the most vulnerable when it comes to air pollution, especially from suspended particles and toxins from firecrackers,” stated the children’s petition, adding that these led to lung disease, asthma, bronchitis and cognitive impairment.

“This is a nice step, let us look at other sources of air pollution too,” tweeted global environmental group Greenpeace, echoing the feelings of many New Delhi residents. But others dismissed the Supreme Court ban as an infringement of tradition and custom, and vowed to defy the ban.

“The court cannot impose a ban on bursting firecrackers during Diwali as that is the essence of this festival,” said Shakuntla Devi, a housewife.

“We will get firecrackers somehow, and celebrate in traditional style.”

Critics say that the tradition has exacerbated existing pollution levels, which are among the world’s highest. New Delhi tops the list of 20 most polluted cities in the country, and 1.2million people die each year due to air pollution, according to Greenpeace.

Doctors said spending a day outdoors in the city is akin to smoking a packet and a half of cigarettes and warned that if conditions persisted, the atmosphere could turn carcinogenic.