Delhi-NCR Wakes Up To Toxic Smog Day After Diwali As Cracker Ban Turns Futile, AQI Set To Dip Further

Residents of Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and surrounding areas in the National Capital Region woke to a thick blanket of toxic smog the morning after Diwali, as widespread defiance of the firecracker ban on Thursday night led to severe noise pollution and reduced visibility.

Several parts of Haryana also reported air quality levels in the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories on Diwali night.

Photo Credit: PTI

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Anand Vihar in Delhi registered an AQI of 395, marking it as "very poor" at 6 a.m. on November 1.

The area had recorded even worse AQI levels the previous night, entering the "severe" category as PM2.5 levels soared, posing serious risks to respiratory health.

Regions in Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh also saw air quality levels fall into the 'poor' category.

As of 11 p.m. on Thursday, Haryana's Gurugram reported an AQI of 322, with Jind at 336 and Charkhi Dadri at 306, according to the Sameer app, which provides real-time national AQI updates from the CPCB.

In contrast to the clearer skies of last year's Diwali, when favourable conditions kept the AQI at 218, this year's festivities brought Delhi's air pollution back to notorious levels, exacerbated by unfavourable weather, stubble burning, and traffic emissions.

New Delhi, frequently among India's most polluted cities, typically faces severe air quality deterioration the day after Diwali. Since 2017, the Delhi government and some other states have imposed bans on firecracker sales, urging residents to opt for eco-friendly alternatives like green crackers and light shows. However, compliance remains limited, as firecrackers are still readily available from local stalls and shops.

While some residents feel the ban has minimal impact, others view it as a necessary step in combating pollution.

Today's AQI levels across Delhi:

- Anand Vihar: 395 (PM2.5)
- Ashok Vihar: 324 (PM10)
- Burari Crossing: 394 (PM2.5)
- Chandni Chowk: 336 (PM2.5)
- Dwarka-Sector 8: 375 (PM2.5)
- IGI Airport (T3): 375 (PM2.5)
- Jahangirpuri: 387 (PM2.5)
- Mundka: 370 (PM2.5)
- RK Puram: 395 (PM2.5)

The Delhi government deployed 377 enforcement teams and conducted awareness campaigns with local groups to ensure adherence to the firecracker ban. Yet, many neighbourhoods across East and West Delhi reported widespread violations, with areas like Jaunapur, Punjabi Bagh, Burari, and East of Kailash lighting up the sky.

Despite police teams patrolling to enforce the restrictions, reports indicated significant non-compliance, with officials warning violators of potential legal consequences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for breaching government orders.

Surrounding regions like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram recorded relatively better air quality in the "poor" range, while Faridabad maintained a more moderate AQI of 181 on Thursday night.

The combination of poor weather, vehicle emissions, local pollutants, and crop burning in neighbouring states further intensified the smog over Delhi-NCR. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has predicted that pollution levels could peak in early November due to increased stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.

Delhi's air quality on Diwali has fluctuated in recent years, with AQI readings of 312 in 2022, 382 in 2021, and 414 in 2020. Despite government efforts to restrict firecracker use, air pollution continues to spike during the festival.

An AQI of zero to 50 is deemed 'good,' 51 to 100 'satisfactory,' 101 to 200 'moderate,' 201 to 300 'poor,' 301 to 400 'very poor,' 401 to 450 'severe,' and above 450 'severe plus'.