Delhi air pollution: Police asks e-commerce platforms to stop online sale of firecrackers

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police instructed all e-commerce websites and social media platforms to immediately halt the online sale and delivery of firecrackers within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. This directive aims to combat the city's worsening air pollution.
The police issued the order on November 19th, citing the need to protect public health as pollution levels rise.
"As a crucial step in protecting the health and well-being of citizens getting directly affected due to increasing pollution and to prevent sale of firecrackers through e-commerce platforms, providing delivery options to addresses within NCT of Delhi, e-Commerce Websites/Social Media Platforms have been directed in writing through an e-mail, yesterday dated 19.11.2024," stated the Delhi Police.
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Platforms must now remove firecracker listings, disable services for Delhi customers, and implement location-based restrictions to block sales and deliveries within the city.
They must also publish notices informing users about the ban and ensure delivery partners do not handle firecracker-related shipments.
This action follows a recent Supreme Court order on November 11th, mandating a firecracker ban to address rising air pollution.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had already imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, storage, and bursting of all types of firecrackers in Delhi from October 14th, 2024 to January 1st, 2025.
The Delhi Police aims to strengthen this ban by curbing online sales that could undermine its effectiveness.
The Air Quality Index in Delhi on Thursday morning was 379, categorized as 'very poor' by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).