Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday appealed to the citizens of Delhi to not burn firecrackers in view of the rising pollution level in the national Capital.
"We will celebrate Diwali together and won't burst firecrackers in any condition. There will be a wonderful atmosphere and good vibes as two crore people will perform Laxmi Pujan. It will lead to well being in each household." Delhi CM said while addressing an online media briefing.
Kejriwal said that he will be celebrating 'Laxmi Pujan' programme this Diwali at 7.39 pm on November 14. The entire event will be conducted virtually, and he urged Delhiites to join him and his ministers.
"If we burst firecrackers on this Diwali, we are playing with the lives of our children and families..." he said.
"There are adverse effects of both corona and pollution in Delhi this year. The Delhi government, along with the people of Delhi, are making all efforts to deal with the issue. The situation of Corona is deteriorating due to pollution," the Delhi CM said.
The smoke from stubble burning causes pollution in Delhi every year but no state government has provided any effective solution to the problem of stubble burning, he said and claimed to have spoken on the issue with many farmers in the neighbouring states, and come up with a plan.
Farmers say "they do not want to burn stubble because it kills the good bacteria on the farmlands, makes the soil infertile, and causes major pollution", Kejriwal said and added, however, "they do not have any option because they are provided with no alternative".
Kejriwal reminded how Delhiites had vowed last year not to burn firecrackers on Diwali.
"We had celebrated Diwali together at Connaught Place through a light show. We will celebrate Diwali together this year as well, without burning crackers. If we burn crackers, we will be playing with the health of our children and our family. We are arranging for something different for Diwali this year," he added.
As winter nears the air pollution in the national capital has once again become the point of concern for the Delhiites.
With the rise in stubble burning and the onset of the festive season, a spike in air pollution levels was observed in the Delhi-NCR region for the fourth consecutive day, as per the data from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
People in Delhi-NCR breathed poisonous air on Wednesday as the air quality index in the region recorded at 999 meaning 'severe' category. Even before Diwali festival, AQI index has reached dangerous level.
This year, Delhi's air pollution in October was higher in comparison to last year. It must be noted that air pollution levels in October 2019 were lesser than this year despite the celebration of Diwali in the month.
(With IANS inputs)
