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New Delhi [India], September 9 (ANI): After the Aam Aadmi Party-led government on Monday banned the production, sale, and use of firecrackers till January 1 in the national capital, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the Delhi government is working on a war footing to control the air pollution in winter.

"The government is working on a war footing to control the pollution in winter. Looking at the pollution caused by firecrackers in Delhi, this time also there will be a ban on the production, storage, sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi. Our appeal to the people of Delhi is not to use firecrackers to reduce the pollution level," Rai told ANI.

"We will celebrate festivals with pomp and show but will not spread pollution. It will be effective till 1st January. All crackers (including green crackers) will be banned," he added.

The Delhi government announced a complete ban on production, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers in the national capital to address air pollution during winter. The ban will remain in place till January 1, 2025.

"In a bid to control the rise in pollution levels in Delhi during the winter season, the Kejriwal government has imposed a complete ban on the manufacturing, storing, sale, and usage of firecrackers. Online sale/delivery of firecrackers to also remain prohibited. The prohibitions to remain in effect till 1st January 2025," Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, said in a statement on Monday.

On Thursday, Gopal Rai said that the Environment Department will use drones to monitor air quality at pollution hotspots as part of a 21-point plan to curb air pollution during the winter session.

"In a first in Delhi, the Environment Department will use drones for real-time air quality monitoring at pollution hotspots as a part of the 21-point Winter Action Plan to curb air pollution in cold months," Rai announced.

The Environment Minister gave information about the decisions taken in the meeting through a press conference. He said that all the departments have been directed to submit detailed action plans and suggestions under the Winter Action Plan to the Environment Department by September 12.

Gopal Rai said that the government has intensified its preparations to deal with the problem of pollution in the winter season.

The Delhi Minister also wrote to Delhi state unit presidents of Congress and BJP on September 3, seeking positive suggestions for incorporation into the Winter Action Plan aimed at reducing pollution in Delhi. (ANI)