Jalandhar experienced a significant surge in air pollution following Diwali celebrations, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to a hazardous 328. The city’s air quality deteriorated sharply the day after the festival, attributed to the extensive bursting of firecrackers that continued late into the night and early morning hours.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that despite Supreme Court directives limiting firecracker usage to an 8 pm to 10 pm window, residents extended the celebrations well beyond the stipulated time. This prolonged activity significantly impacted the ambient air quality, with PM2.5 identified as the primary pollutant.
The AQI in Jalandhar, which was recorded at 239 at 4 pm on Diwali day, escalated to 328 by noon on Monday, the day after the festival. This marked a substantial increase, contributing to a thick haze that enveloped the city during Diwali. Residents reported experiencing symptoms such as coughing and eye irritation, indicative of the poor air quality that had been impacting Jalandhar for over a week prior to the festival.
Despite concerns surrounding pollution and the various restrictions in place, firecracker traders in Jalandhar reported a generally decent business this Diwali. However, many wholesalers and retailers noted that the limited number of authorised sales locations and the short duration of selling days had adversely affected their potential earnings. This year, a farmland in Raowali village was designated as the sole site for firecracker sales in Jalandhar, accommodating approximately 20 wholesalers and retailers.
Vikas Bhandari, president of the Jalandhar Fireworks Association, stated that while sales were respectable, authorised traders at the Raowali site accounted for only about half of the total firecracker sales within the city. He explained that their establishments were restricted to just 20 stalls at Raowali and were permitted to operate for only four days. Bhandari estimated that more than 800 stalls operated illegally across Jalandhar, selling firecrackers without the necessary permissions.
Authorised traders faced significant financial outlays, with individual expenses ranging from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh, covering costs for permissions, electricity, rent, transportation, and legal compliance. Bhandari highlighted that after incurring these substantial costs, the limited selling days further constrained their business potential. He suggested that the administration should consider allocating more locations for firecracker sales, similar to arrangements in Ludhiana, to better support authorised traders and manage sales effectively.
Bhandari also raised concerns about the condition of the Raowali site, noting the presence of considerable dust. He mentioned that traders had compensated the landowner to ensure timely crop harvesting, but suggested that the administration could have at least provided a water tanker to mitigate the dust. Firecracker trader Raghav Mahajan echoed the sentiment, describing the business as good but stating that four days were insufficient for adequate sales. Mahajan also pointed out that attributing air quality deterioration solely to Hindu festivals was unfair, emphasizing that multiple factors contribute to pollution.
Another trader, Baldev Raj, reminisced about smoother arrangements when firecracker stalls were previously located at Burlton Park. He argued that the current Raowali site is inconvenient for customers, requiring them to travel out of their way. Both traders stressed the need for the administration to address these logistical issues to improve the overall sales experience and management of firecracker distribution.
The prolonged celebrations and high volume of firecracker usage underscore the persistent challenge of balancing cultural traditions with environmental protection, particularly in urban centres across Punjab during major festivals.
The Chenab Times News Desk
