Delhi govt will issue directions for usage of ‘green’ firecrackers: Gopal Rai

AAP government will soon issue directions allowing sale and purchase of only “green” firecrackers in national capital, Environment Minister Gopal Rai has said. In 2018, Supreme Court h banned use of polluting firecrackers and allowed sale of “green” firecrackers in a bid to control air pollution.

“Guidelines are being prepared for sale and purchase of only green firecrackers in Delhi. Soon, we will issue directions to departments concerned,” Rai told PTI.

‘green crackers’ are t as polluting as conventional s of firecrackers and y contain at least 30 percent less particulate matters such as Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide. CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute was tasked with job of developing ‘green crackers’. But only a few varieties were available in market last year due to licensing requirements.

minister also said exercise for reconstitution of Ridge Manment Board has been initiated. RMB is a high-powered body formed on directions of Supreme Court in 1995 to protect ridge -  green lungs of city, spre across 7,784 hectares. Its clearance is required before taking up any development activity in ridge area.

minister recently said AAP government was taking le in fight against air pollution in Delhi-NCR, but neighbouring states were still "t serious" about issue despite it becoming "more dangerous" due to COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Delhi government wants cooperation t confrontation with orstates on issue of air pollution. “ land has been divided into states but sky is one.” Rai also questioned why Centre was t taking any action against 11 coal-fired power plants within 300 kilometers of Delhi, which have missed two delines to meet new emission rms.

“We h two rmal power plants and we shut m. Why have se 11 power plants t been able to reduce emissions? What’s reason? Why action is t being taken against brick kilns operating in nearby areas using outdated techlogies,” he said.

re are more than 1,640 such brick kilns in Uttar Presh,161 in Haryana and 164 Rajasthan within 300 kilometers of Delhi. 

(Im Credits: PTI)