Diwali Crackers Push Delhi Air Quality to ‘Very Poor’ Category with AQI at 335

New Delhi: On the morning of Diwali, Delhi’s air quality plummeted into the “very poor” category, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 335 at 8 a.m. The heavy bursting of fire-crackers contributed not only to thick smog covering the national capital but also to severe noise pollution.
Among the 38 monitoring stations across Delhi, most recorded AQI levels exceeding 300. In particular, Anand Vihar (414) and Wazirpur (407) logged readings in the “severe” category, while locations such as Shri Aurobindo Marg (165) and DTU (198) reported comparatively better, though still concerning, conditions.
Authorities had permitted only the sale and use of “green crackers” in Delhi as part of efforts to restrict pollution, allowing citizens to burst them between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the eve of Diwali, and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the festival day. The state’s chief minister, Rekha Gupta, had urged residents to limit themselves to green crackers to help protect the city’s environment.
However, violations appear widespread and the pollution spike signals the annual challenge Delhi faces during festive seasons