Delhi extends ban on sale, use of fire crackers till 1 January next year to rein in pollution

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said an action plan to enforce the plan would be put in place in consultation with various agencies.

Women celebrate by lighting phuljari crackers on the eve of the Diwali festival | ANI

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Wednesday banned the production, storage, sale and use of firecrackers till 1 January, 2023 to help alleviate the terrible pollution levels the Capital suffers every year during Diwali.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai tweeted that the ban was being enforced to “save people from the danger of pollution in Delhi… to save people’s lives”. There will be a ban on the sale of crackers online too, Rai said.

He also tweeted that an action plan would be drawn up for its strict execution in consultation with the Delhi Police, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Revenue Department.

The state government had made a similar move last year, and the year before, to check pollution levels during the festival.

Last July, the DPCC had also amended rules to fine people up to Rs 1 lakh for causing noise pollution.