While Eyes Were on Delhi, Jaipur Was Also Choking Post-Diwali

So who is to blame for pollution? The government? The citizens? I took to Jaipur’s streets for an answer.

Jaipur was enveloped in smog the day after Diwali. 

(Photo Courtesy: Akshay Singh Meena)

Video Editor: Kunal Mehra
Video Producer: Aastha Gulati

On the day after Diwali, every news channel was discussing the deteriorating air quality in Delhi. Unsurprisingly, Delhi fared worse than most other cities on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

However, not many know that in my hometown Jaipur, the situation was very similar. The AQI ranged from 582 to 717 on 27 October, the noise of crackers could be heard till the following night. It seemed as if the city was enveloped in smog. Instead of spreading cheer on Diwali, we knowingly contributed to pollution in the air.

So who is to blame? Is pollution the fault of the government? The citizens? I took to the streets of Jaipur for an answer.

Most residents expressed difficulty in breathing the morning after the ‘festival of joy’.

“I went to the city last night and was gasping. I felt suffocated due to the pollution in the air.”

Saurav, Resident

For those with respiratory diseases, the situation was even worse.

“The pollution levels were too high, I wasn’t able to breathe. My asthma peaked as well. I still can’t talk properly.”

Urvashi, Resident

Residents expressed concern about the increasing levels of pollution.

“Crackers should be banned in Jaipur like they are in Delhi. I am very unhappy. The festival of lights has been reduced to a festival of pollution for me.”

Urvashi, Resident  

Setu, a student, said Jaipur might need air purifiers soon.

“I think Jaipur is also becoming one of those cities that will require air purifiers.”

Setu

Are the citizens aware enough? Manan answers:

“I thought there is a lot more awareness among people regarding crackers but no, there isn’t. People still don’t realise how bad the air quality is.”

Manan, Resident  

What about citizen’s collective responsibility?

“People must know what air quality index of every city and area is so that they are aware and know what steps to take to decrease air pollution levels. People also need to take responsibility, it is not only the authorities that are to blame.”

Saurav, Resident

(All 'My Report' branded stories are submitted by citizen journalists to The Quint. Though The Quint inquires into the claims/allegations from all parties before publishing, the report and the views expressed above are the citizen journalist's own. The Quint neither endorses, nor is responsible for the same.)