New Delhi: The national capital woke up to a haze of smoke and toxic air on Diwali morning, as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 335 at 8 am, placing Delhi firmly in the "very poor" category. The overnight bursting of firecrackers not only caused severe noise pollution but also blanketed the city in smog, threatening public health and visibility across key areas.
Of the city’s approximately 38 monitoring stations, most recorded AQI levels exceeding 300, signaling very poor air quality. Anand Vihar (414) and Wazirpur (407) were among the worst-hit areas, falling into the "severe" category. Meanwhile, two stations, Sri Aurobindo Marg (165) and DTU (198), recorded levels in the "moderate" range. To contextualize, an AQI between 0–50 is considered “good,” 51–100 “satisfactory,” 101–200 “moderate,” 201–300 “poor,” 301–400 “very poor,” and 401–500 “severe.”
The CPCB’s forecast suggests that this trend is likely to persist, with air quality expected to dip further into the “severe” category over the next two days, raising concerns for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
The Supreme Court had permitted the use of only green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali, subject to specific conditions. On the day preceding Diwali, these eco-friendly crackers could be used between 6 am and 7 pm, while on Diwali itself, they were allowed from 8 am to 10 pm. Prior to this ruling, the manufacture, sale, and use of all fireworks were banned in the capital to curb pollution.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged residents to celebrate Diwali responsibly, emphasizing the use of green firecrackers to protect the city from environmental harm. In her message, she encouraged traditional celebrations involving lighting diyas, creating rangoli, and sharing sweets with family and neighbors.
“Diwali is a festival of lights and joy,” Gupta said. “It should be celebrated in an atmosphere of peace, harmony, and health-conscious choices. Let us all play our part in protecting our city while keeping the spirit of the festival alive.”
Despite official guidelines and public appeals, Delhi’s air quality continues to remain under severe stress during the festive period, serving as a stark reminder of the environmental cost of firecracker celebrations.