Two days after Diwali, Delhi’s skies remained shrouded in a smoky haze as pollution levels surged far beyond permissible limits across the city. On Wednesday morning, residents woke up to a dense blanket of smog, with the national capital’s air quality continuing to languish in the ‘very poor’ category.
At 5:30 a.m., Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 345, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Despite the Supreme Court’s ban on firecrackers, several areas across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) reported widespread violations during Diwali celebrations.
On Tuesday, multiple monitoring stations registered AQI levels crossing the 500-mark, classified as ‘severe’. The city’s 24-hour average AQI on Tuesday stood at 351, marking a sharp increase from 345 recorded the previous day.
Delhi has long struggled with deteriorating air quality during the post-monsoon and winter months. Calm winds, combined with emissions from firecrackers and stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana, significantly worsen the toxic smog engulfing the city.
Authorities are now exploring emergency measures to address the alarming situation.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has signaled the possible activation of Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). If implemented, GRAP-II will impose stricter restrictions, including a ban on diesel generators except for essential services, tighter controls on construction and demolition activities, and intensified dust suppression measures. Special task forces will also be deployed in pollution hotspots to regulate traffic and curb vehicular emissions.
CPCB data from the past four years indicates that Diwali 2025 is among the most polluting on record, highlighting a recurring pattern of dangerously low air quality linked directly to widespread firecracker use.
(With IANS inputs)
