Delhi's air quality plummets after Diwali despite firecracker ban: AQI soars above 900

On Diwali night, Delhi’s air quality dropped significantly as firecrackers filled the sky, blanketing the city in thick smoke. Despite an official ban on firecrackers, residents across various neighborhoods celebrated with large-scale fireworks, which combined with unfavorable weather, stubble burning, and local pollution to push the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the “very poor” category. At 10 p.m., the overall AQI for Delhi stood at 330, and certain key areas even recorded “severe” pollution levels.

Key Areas and Severe AQI Readings
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) reported extreme AQI levels across various parts of Delhi, with Anand Vihar registering PM2.5 concentrations high enough to categorize it as "severe," raising health concerns for those breathing the air. Neighborhoods such as Wazirpur, Pusa, and Vivek Vihar recorded AQI levels of 603, 601, and 677, respectively. Many other areas, including Burari Crossing, Jahangirpuri, and RK Puram, saw AQI readings exceeding 370, far surpassing safe limits.

Return to Hazardous Levels: A Pattern of Diwali Pollution
Unlike last year’s Diwali, which had relatively favorable meteorological conditions, this year saw AQI spike to 330, a stark rise from 218 reported in 2022. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai noted that this trend is concerning: “The city’s air quality took a severe hit due to the large-scale defiance of the firecracker ban.” Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 312 in 2022, 382 in 2021, and 414 in 2020, illustrating the repetitive spike in pollution levels each Diwali, despite government regulations.

Enforced Ban and Widespread Non-compliance
Delhi’s government implemented a comprehensive firecracker ban, which prohibited their manufacture, sale, and use. To enforce this, 377 teams, led by resident welfare associations, market committees, and social organizations, were deployed across the city. Police teams were also stationed in various neighborhoods to ensure compliance.

According to officials, violators faced action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for defying government orders. Despite this, reports from across the city, particularly in east and west Delhi, indicated a widespread disregard for the ban, with firecrackers lighting up the night sky in areas like Jaunapur, Punjabi Bagh, Burari, and East of Kailash.

Delhi-NCR Suffers, Neighboring Areas Also Affected
Delhi’s neighboring cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, fared slightly better, with their AQI levels generally remaining in the "poor" category. Faridabad reported the lowest AQI among them at 181.

However, the smog generated from Delhi’s celebrations, combined with existing local pollution and stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, further worsened conditions in the National Capital Region (NCR). The impact of this pollution is heightened in winter, when cooler temperatures and stagnant air trap pollutants close to the ground.

Higher Pollution Anticipated in November
According to the DPCC, the situation is expected to worsen in early November. As per the DPCC’s assessment, “The highest pollution levels typically occur during the beginning of November as incidents of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana increase.” Historically, the spike in stubble burning during this period aggravates pollution in Delhi-NCR, adding to the health concerns already posed by Diwali-related pollution.

Firecrackers and Health Risks
Delhi’s Diwali pollution has consistently posed serious health risks. PM2.5 and PM10 levels, representing fine particulate matter that easily enters the respiratory system, spiked to hazardous concentrations on Thursday night. By 9 p.m., PM2.5 levels reached 145.1 micrograms per cubic meter, with PM10 reaching 272 micrograms per cubic meter.

The DPCC emphasized the risks: “These particles pose serious respiratory health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory issues.”

Delhi has seen repeated government attempts to curb air pollution during Diwali. However, as the readings this year indicate, pollution continues to surge each festive season despite the imposed bans. Local environmental groups highlight the need for community awareness and stricter enforcement to tackle this recurring issue effectively.