🔗 Share this article

As Tuesday dawned residents of the planet's dirtiest urban center found themselves inhaling extremely polluted air that fell into the "alarming" category.

Alarming Pollution Measurements

Various sections of the capital showed an air quality index over 500, which translates to ten times the safe level established by the global health authority.

Particular areas, levels of toxic particulate matter hit highs of eighteen hundred, amounting to 15 to 20 times higher than safe levels.

Firecracker Prohibition and Recent Changes

For the past four years, authorities had implemented a complete ban on the purchase and ignition of pyrotechnics during Diwali due to their significant contribution to the deadly pollution that blankets the city as winter begins.

However earlier this year, the recently formed local administration approached the supreme court to seek a modification of the restrictions.

They proposed allowing "green crackers" – which have been doubted by environmentalists as being only approximately one-third lower impact – as a compromise between "tradition and public health".

Court Decision and Reality

Despite concerns of environmental and health advocates, the court approved the appeal, stipulating that eco-friendly pyrotechnics could be ignited during designated hours throughout the festival.

Throughout the festival evening, there was widespread flouting of the regulated periods across the capital, with insufficient enforcement regarding whether the fireworks being used were actually the more environmentally friendly type.

Many recording stations throughout Delhi recorded contamination peaking around the night hours to extremely hazardous readings seen during celebrations in at least recent memory.

International Effects

Extensive ignition of fireworks during Diwali also initiated a blame game with adjacent Pakistan, with officials in Pakistani Punjab pointing to worsening atmospheric conditions in Lahore on pollutants originating in across the border following the celebrations.

Chronic Pollution Problem

Alarmingly severe levels of pollution in the city have continued as a significant problem for over a decade and a half, with the condition showing no improvement.

During the festival period, the concentration of dangerous particles in the environment has been found to increase dramatically to seventy percent above the peak levels ever measured in China's capital, which was formerly considered as the world's most polluted urban center.

Various Contamination Contributors

The problem in the capital is resulting from a mix of different contributors including heavy vehicle emissions, airborne particles, development work, waste incineration and pollutants from farm burning in adjacent states of neighboring agricultural zones.

Throughout these areas, agricultural workers routinely burn crop residue to prepare for next season, generating dangerous pollution that remains stagnant over the capital as colder air arrives.

Health and Financial Consequences

Both financial and medical impact on the approximately 33 million inhabitants living in the metropolitan zone is significant, according to various research.

This pollution causes elevated rates of neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and can even lead to oncological diseases.

Environmental contamination is estimated to be responsible for 10,000 premature deaths annually in Delhi.