New Delhi
The Board of Cricket Council of India (BCCI) has taken a significant step by prohibiting the use of fireworks during the remaining World Cup matches in Delhi and Mumbai due to the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in these cities. Mumbai is set to host two league matches on November 2 (India vs Sri Lanka) and November 7 (Australia vs Afghanistan), as well as the semi-final on November 15. Meanwhile, Delhi will host its last league match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on November 6. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the board’s sensitivity to environmental concerns and its commitment to addressing them. He stated, BCCI is sensitive to environmental concerns. I took up the matter formally with the ICC and there won’t be any fireworks display in Mumbai, which can add to the pollution level. The Board is committed to combating environmental issues and will always place the interest of our fans and stakeholders at the forefront. He further added, The BCCI acknowledges the urgent concern surrounding air quality in both Mumbai and New Delhi. While we strive to host the ICC World Cup in a manner befitting the celebration of cricket, we remain steadfast in our commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of all our stakeholders. The decision comes as both cities are grappling with poor air quality. On Wednesday, Delhi recorded a very poor AQI of 372, while Mumbai fell within the poor category with an AQI ranging from 150 to 200.
