New Delhi: Air pollution in India's capital, New Delhi, worsened on Monday after Diwali celebrations filled the city with fireworks and smoke, adding to an already serious pollution problem. Despite restrictions on firecracker use, several neighbourhoods recorded severe air quality levels, while thick smog covered parts of the city.
Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 370 at 9 am on Monday, placing it in the very poor category. However, several monitoring stations recorded readings above 400, which falls under the severe category. Among the worst affected areas were Jahangirpuri, Chandni Chowk and Mundka.
Residents in several parts of the capital faced hazy conditions, while reports of throat irritation and itchy eyes added to concerns about the impact of pollution on public health.
The deterioration followed Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrated on November 8. Fireworks continued in several neighbourhoods beyond the hours permitted by India's Supreme Court, despite restrictions introduced to reduce pollution during the festival.
The Supreme Court had allowed the use of certified green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region on November 7 and 8, but only during two specific periods. Fireworks were permitted between 6 am and 7 am and again between 8 pm and 10 pm on both days.
The temporary permission came with several conditions. Only approved green firecrackers were allowed, while conventional and unauthorised products remained prohibited. Firecrackers containing barium were also banned. The temporary relaxation ended on November 8, and the complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region was restored on November 9.
However, the continued use of fireworks beyond the permitted hours raised questions about the enforcement of the restrictions. The exact number of violations and the quantity of illegal firecrackers used during the celebrations have not been established.
Pollution was particularly severe at Mandir Marg, where fine particulate matter known as PM2.5 reached 879 micrograms per cubic metre during the early hours of Monday. This was a local measurement and not Delhi's average pollution level.
PM2.5 consists of extremely small particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs and affect human health. The World Health Organization recommends that average PM2.5 concentrations should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic metre over a 24 hour period. However, the reported Mandir Marg reading was a short period measurement and should not be directly compared with the WHO's 24 hour guideline.
Fireworks added to the existing pollution burden, but they were not the only reason behind Delhi's deteriorating air quality. The capital faces a recurring pollution crisis during the winter months, when emissions from vehicles, industries, construction activities and agricultural burning combine with unfavourable weather conditions.
Crop residue burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana is another major concern during this period. Farmers burn leftover agricultural waste after harvesting, releasing smoke and fine particles into the atmosphere. These pollutants can travel across state boundaries and contribute to poor air quality in Delhi.
Weather conditions have also made the situation worse. Weak winds and limited atmospheric movement prevent pollutants from dispersing, allowing smoke and harmful particles to remain close to the ground. The combination of several pollution sources has made it difficult for authorities to bring air quality under control.
The government had already introduced additional restrictions before Diwali. On November 6, the Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan, a set of emergency measures designed to control pollution across Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region.
The decision followed a daily average AQI reading of 382 in Delhi, with authorities warning that unfavourable weather conditions could push pollution levels into the severe category.
The measures include restrictions on non essential construction and demolition activities, tighter controls on polluting vehicles and additional steps to reduce dust and emissions. Authorities also encouraged employers to consider work from home arrangements to reduce traffic and pollution.
Schools have also been affected. The Delhi Directorate of Education directed schools to conduct classes up to Class V in hybrid mode, allowing children to attend either physically or online.
The continued deterioration has raised further concerns about the health risks to children, older people and those with existing respiratory and heart conditions. Exposure to polluted air can cause breathing difficulties, worsen asthma and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, while the government backed Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast very poor air quality for November 10 and 11. Although some improvement is expected, the outlook suggests that the pollution problem may continue beyond the immediate aftermath of Diwali.
Delhi's latest pollution episode once again highlights the difficulty of controlling air pollution through temporary restrictions alone. While regulating firecrackers can help reduce one source of emissions, authorities continue to face the larger challenge of addressing vehicle pollution, agricultural burning, industrial emissions and construction dust.
For millions of people living in the capital and surrounding areas, cleaner air remains a pressing public health concern that requires sustained action throughout the year rather than emergency measures introduced only when pollution reaches dangerous levels.