As Delhi chokes, AAP minister blames farm fires, crackers and BJP for pollution

As Delhiites woke up to a smoke engulfed national capital a day after Diwali, Delhi's environment minister Gopal Rai blamed farm fires, firecrackers and BJP for the increased pollution level.

While thanking people who did not burst crackers, the AAP leader said that some people burst firecrackers on purpose and blamed the BJP for making them do it.

Also watch: Diwali 2021: Delhi gasps for air as cracker ban goes up in smoke, AQI 'severe'

He also said that the number of farm fires has risen to 3,500 and its impact is visible in Delhi.

According to air quality forecasting agency SAFAR, share of stubble burning in Delhi's PM2.5 pollution rose to season's highest of 36% on Friday.

Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution had peaked at 42 per cent on November 5. In 2019, crop residue burning accounted for 44 per cent of Delhi's PM2.5 pollution on November 1.

The contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's PM2.5 concentration was 32 per cent on Diwali last year as compared to 19 per cent in 2019.