New Delhi: As Delhi rang in Diwali with dazzling fireworks on Monday night, the national capital’s air quality took a sharp dive, with nearly all monitoring stations falling into the ‘red zone’. Despite a Supreme Court ruling permitting the use of “green firecrackers” between 8 PM and 10 PM, the city saw celebrations extend far beyond the designated window, significantly worsening the already precarious air quality.
By the early hours of Tuesday, air quality monitoring data revealed that 36 out of 38 stations across Delhi recorded pollution levels in the ‘red zone’, a classification indicating ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ air quality. The hazardous levels of particulate matter, particularly PM2.5 and PM10, were attributed to the widespread use of firecrackers, which persisted well past the Supreme Court’s time restriction.
Local authorities had hoped that the Supreme Court’s directive, which allowed a limited window for green crackers, would help mitigate the toxic haze typically associated with Diwali celebrations. However, the situation quickly worsened as revelers continued bursting firecrackers into the night, ignoring the designated time frame, contributing to the escalating pollution levels.
The persistent use of firecrackers, despite the court’s restrictions, led to a spike in the concentration of harmful pollutants in the air, further exacerbating Delhi’s already alarming air quality. This comes after a series of warnings from environmental experts who have long raised concerns about the detrimental impact of fireworks on both public health and the environment.
“While the green crackers are relatively less harmful compared to conventional ones, their impact on the air quality remains considerable, especially when used excessively,” said a senior official from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). “The festive celebrations have unfortunately led to a severe decline in the air quality, putting vulnerable populations at risk, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.”
The sharp deterioration in air quality was most pronounced in areas already grappling with pollution levels higher than the national safe limits. The continuous exposure to ‘severe’ air quality is known to have significant short-term effects, including aggravated respiratory problems, eye irritation, and increased risk for those suffering from asthma or other lung diseases.
In light of these developments, health experts have urged Delhi residents to take immediate precautions, especially when it comes to limiting outdoor activities and using air purifiers indoors. The Delhi government had implemented a range of measures leading up to Diwali to curb pollution, including increased awareness campaigns and the ban on firecrackers in certain high-risk areas. However, these efforts were unable to fully counteract the surge in pollution caused by the unregulated use of firecrackers during the festival.
While the Supreme Court’s ruling sought to allow for a safer celebration, it highlighted the ongoing challenge of balancing festive traditions with environmental and public health concerns. Many environmental groups are now calling for stricter enforcement of firecracker regulations in the future to prevent such extreme air quality degradation.
As Delhi grapples with the aftermath of Diwali celebrations, the focus will now shift to how the authorities and citizens can work together to bring the city back from the brink of hazardous air quality, while still preserving the joy and spirit of the festival.
