India celebrates Diwali as Delhi air quality hits very poor category
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined security forces in Bastar while Delhi grappled with smog and very poor air quality levels on Sunday.
India celebrated Diwali on Sunday with festivities across the country, even as Delhi faced very poor air quality. According to Rediff, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the festival with security personnel in the freshly Naxal-free Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Modi stated on X that he intended to salute the brave security personnel for their sacrifices and devotion to the nation.
In Delhi, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 371 at 7 pm on Sunday, according to Moneycontrol. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that 20 monitoring stations registered 'severe' air quality, while 31 were in the 'very poor' category. Jahangirpuri recorded the highest AQI at 464, followed by Sonia Vihar at 448.
The pollution was attributed to firecracker emissions, vehicular emissions, and stubble burning. The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) forecast that Delhi's air quality could enter the 'severe' category from November 9. The transport sector was projected to account for 19 per cent of the city's pollution on Sunday.
Other political leaders also marked the occasion. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath prayed at the Hanumangarhi and Ram temples, while Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah extended greetings to the people. In Srinagar, thousands of lamps illuminated the Clock Tower at Lal Chowk as locals and tourists joined the celebrations.