Less crackers, strict enforcement result in 30pc reduction in air pollution on Diwali night: DPCC

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee on Monday said less fireworks, rigorous night patrolling and enforcement measures to curb instigators reduced the PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 30 per cent on Diwali night this year when compared to 2018.

The decline in emissions of dangerous PM10 and PM2.5 particles across Delhi ranged from 20 to 50 percent, indicating the air quality was better than previous years, DPCC said in a statement.

Delhi Environment Minister Kailash Gahlot said the air quality post Diwali this year seems much better than what it was after the festival in 2018.

Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event here, Gahlot said people also say less crackers were used this year.

The autonomous regulatory body said the peak level of PM2.5 tiny particulate matter equal to or less than 2.5 microns in diameter that can enter deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream was 1,070 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m3) at midnight.

Last year, it was 1,560 g/m3