Indian court eases firecracker ban even as pollution soars

• Keerthi Mohan
• 23 October, 2018

By: Keerthi Mohan

India’s top court on Tuesday (23) eased a ban on fireworks for a major Hindu festival despite air pollution in New Delhi and other cities again reaching dangerous levels. The supreme court, which last year banned firecrackers for the Diwali festival, rejected a new call for a ban in the capital amid growing concern over pollution. Firecrackers set off for the Hindu festival of lights add to the toxic mix created by farmers burning crop stubble, diesel engines, coal-fired power plants and industrial emissions. The World Health Organization in May listed 14 Indian cities, including Delhi, in the world’s top 15 with the dirtiest air. Ahead of Diwali on November 7,…

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