Following Diwali festivities, New Delhi’s air quality plummeted, placing it at the top of the list as the world’s most polluted city on Friday. Despite a government ban on firecrackers, revelers used them widely to mark the Hindu festival of lights, pushing the air quality index (AQI) to a hazardous 348, according to data from Swiss firm IQ Air.
Thick smog blanketed key landmarks, including the presidential palace and nearby parks, often frequented by morning walkers. In recent years, the local government has imposed firecracker bans during Diwali and winter, in compliance with Supreme Court directives, yet enforcing the ban remains a challenge despite penalties.
Some Hindu organizations argue that the restriction interferes with traditional festival observances, while Delhi officials maintain that the ban prioritizes public health. This year’s spike in pollution also coincides with seasonal crop stubble burning in northern India, which contributes to toxic smog trapped by the cold, dense winter air.
