Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, urging him to take immediate, strict action against those involved in illegal sale and distribution of firecrackers, regular inspections of firecracker sellers by the Delhi Police, and increased vigilance at Delhi borders.

It is well established that burning of firecrackers not only adversely affects the environment but also poses a health hazard to children, elderly and people with respiratory ailments. Considering these facts, Govt. of Delhi issued directions on 14/10/2024 imposing a complete ban on manufacturing, storage, selling and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers upto 01/01/2025 in the territory of NCT of Delhi.

It has been brought to my notice through various media reports that despite such ban, firecrackers are being openly sold in various markets of Delhi. These firecrackers are being brought through various borders connecting Delhi to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. It is noted that Delhi Police as Law Enforcement agencies have not taken the directions to ban firecrackers seriously and vendors are openly flouting the imposed ban. Bursting of these firecrackers during Diwali is going to have adverse effects on air pollution and on the health residents of Delhi.

I urge you to take immediate stringent actions against those involved in the illegal sale and distribution of crackers. Regular inspection of the wholesale and retail firecracker vendors by Delhi Police and to enforce sealing of Delhi’s borders by way of barricading to check the illegal influx of crackers from neighboring states is necessary at this stage to prevent deterioration of Delhi’s air quality and to safeguard people’s health.