The vibrant festivities of Diwali in India’s capital, Delhi, have been overshadowed by a thick, toxic haze. The day after the Hindu festival, the city’s air quality plummeted, reaching alarming levels. This deterioration occurred despite a court directive aimed at curbing pollution by restricting the use of firecrackers to only ‘green’ varieties. However, the celebrations saw widespread defiance, with fireworks illuminating the night sky until late, violating the court’s order for a limited, designated period of fireworks usage.
Delhi, already grappling with persistent air pollution throughout the year due to factors like vehicle emissions and dust, experienced a noticeable decline in air quality in the days leading up to Diwali. On Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi registered a concerning 360. The AQI is a crucial measure of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), microscopic particles that pose significant health risks by lodging in the lungs and contributing to various illnesses.
For context, AQI levels between 101 and 200 are considered ‘moderate’, while those between 201 and 300 are classified as ‘poor’. Anything above 300 is categorized as ‘very poor’, and figures exceeding 400 are deemed ‘severe’. In Delhi’s case, certain areas recorded AQI levels a staggering 24 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended 24-hour exposure limit for PM 2.5, which is 15 micrograms per cubic metre.
The city’s pollution woes intensify during winter months, exacerbated by agricultural stubble burning in neighboring states. Combined with low wind speeds that trap pollutants, including those from fireworks, close to the ground, the air becomes difficult to breathe.
While firecrackers have been banned in Delhi and its surrounding areas since 2020, the rule has often been poorly enforced. With traditional crackers still readily available in many shops, their use during Diwali became almost inevitable. Recently, India’s Supreme Court eased the outright ban, permitting the use of ‘green crackers’. Manufacturers claim these emit less pollution and ash compared to conventional ones. However, critics argue that even these ‘greener’ options release harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Reports from the ground indicated that despite the court’s allowance for specific times – one hour in the morning and two in the evening on Diwali – the sound of fireworks echoed long past midnight in numerous localities. The sight of smoke and the taste of ash in the mouth became an unwelcome reminder of the compromised air quality for residents venturing out.
Environmental experts express concern that the relaxation of firecracker regulations might undermine the growing public awareness about the severe health impacts of air pollution built up over recent years. While other factors like vehicle emissions and stubble burning had already pushed Delhi’s air quality into the ‘very poor’ category, the additional pollution from fireworks is expected to further strain public health.
In response to the deteriorating conditions, authorities invoked stricter measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including restrictions on diesel generators and coal/firewood usage, in an attempt to mitigate the pollution levels. However, for many residents, the return of the familiar smog signifies a resignation to the annual cycle of poor air quality.