Delhi to monitor pollution levels on Diwali

NEW DELHI - Strict monitoring of noise and air pollution will be done this Diwali, with the Delhi government putting up six air monitoring systems in the capital.

The systems have come up at R.K. Puram, Mandir Marg, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Civil Lines, Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh to measure pollution levels Nov 5.

Delhi Environment Secretary Dharmendra told IANS that Delhi Police and sub-divisional magistrates of 11 districts had been told to ensure strict compliance of Supreme Court ban on crackers from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“We request people to avoid crackers, especially those which make loud noise, because they pollute the environment and are harmful to health. People should celebrate the festival of lights with diyas and flowers,” Dharmendra said.

Earlier, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit appealed to children not to use firecrackers and instead make Diwali bright and colourful with diyas and rangoli.

“For some years now, we have celebrated a clean and pollution-free Diwali. Let us, this year too, enjoy Diwali with diyas, rangoli, sweets and gifts instead of crackers. Let the cracking good times come without firecrackers,” she said.

Dikshit asked children to convince their family members, friends and neighbours to join the government in saying “no” to crackers. “I am sure you do not want others and yourself to suffer,” she said.