NEW DELHI: Asked by the Supreme Court whether cracker bursting time could be restricted to between 5 pm and 10 pm on Diwali to curb pollution, the Centre on Tuesday diplomatically parried it, saying air pollution was a multi-dimensional problem requiring a well thought out action plan.
On a petition filed by three Delhi-based toddlers, a bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu had asked solicitor general Ranjit Kumar to respond to six suggestions given on the petitioners' behalf by senior advocate A M Singhvi. Though the petitioners had sought complete ban on fireworks during Diwali, the bench had said it was considering limiting the cracker bursting time and asked the Centre to respond.
While not answering the SC's question, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change said, "Air pollution may be prevented and controlled by a multi-disciplinary approach through a joint effort of various ministries, departments and municipal bodies and, particularly, by the participation of general public."
