New Delhi sources have stated that the city is likely to witness cleaner air this Diwali and a less polluted year overall, Union environment ministry and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) officials have said, based on forecasts of meteorological conditions and anti-pollution steps which are beginning to show results. Meanwhile the Supreme Court's recent ban on sale of firecrackers is also expected to help prevent deterioration of air beyond last year's level.
Accordingly last year weather conditions had not only prevented Diwali pollution from dissipating but had also transported smoke from crop fires to NCR in the days after the festival, resulting in a severe fall in air quality. Meanwhile this year has seen more moderate days and fewer very poor days.
Furthermore the ministry had last week reviewed the
overall situation in a meeting chaired by the minister of state for environment
and forests Mahesh Sharma. The minister discussed preventive measures such as
curbs on crop stubble burning and strictly enforcing `pollution under control'
(PUC) certificates.
