Key Proceedings

• Supreme Court Oversight: The Supreme Court expressed concern that previous firecracker bans were not effectively implemented. It sought detailed reports from the Delhi government and police on enforcement measures.
• Relaxed Firecracker Rules: Only “green firecrackers” were allowed to be sold and burst within limited hours. However, several violations were reported across Delhi-NCR, indicating poor ground-level compliance.
• Government Action: The Delhi government extended pollution curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and ordered that post-Diwali waste be sent to Waste-to-Energy plants for safe disposal.
• Public & Expert Criticism: Environmental experts and NGOs described the measures as “reactive,” urging the government to develop long-term strategies for air quality management.

What's happening lately

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several parts of the national capital crossed 600, far above the “severe” level of 400 and nearly twelve times higher than the safe limit of 50. Areas like Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Dwarka recorded some of the worst readings, with air quality monitors hitting their upper limit.

Residents reported a strong smell of smoke in the air, with many complaining of breathing discomfort, coughing, and irritation in the eyes and throat. Visibility also dropped sharply in the early morning hours, affecting commuters.

Despite government restrictions and repeated appeals to celebrate an eco-friendly “green Diwali,” many areas saw widespread bursting of firecrackers late into the night. The situation worsened further due to calm winds and low temperatures, which trapped pollutants close to the ground instead of letting them disperse.

Doctors have urged citizens, especially senior citizens, children, and those with respiratory issues, to stay indoors, wear N95 masks when stepping outside, and use air purifiers if possible. Health experts warned that prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels could lead to serious respiratory and cardiac issues.

Environmental activists said that while Diwali fireworks contribute to a short-term pollution spike, Delhi’s larger air quality crisis stems from multiple year-round sources — including vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, construction dust, and stubble burning in nearby states.

Authorities have said they are monitoring the situation closely. The Delhi government is expected to hold an emergency meeting to decide on further measures, which may include temporary school closures, restrictions on construction, and odd-even traffic rules if the situation does not improve.

With winter approaching and stubble burning set to increase in neighboring regions, experts warn that Delhi could face several more weeks of poor air quality unless strong and coordinated action is taken immediately.

Major Criticisms

• Weak Enforcement: Despite legal restrictions, many residents continued bursting regular firecrackers beyond the permitted hours, exposing gaps in enforcement.
• Ineffective “Green Crackers”: Even the permitted variants contributed significantly to poor air quality, raising questions about their effectiveness.
• Reactive Policy Approach: Experts noted that authorities act only after air quality deteriorates, rather than addressing pollution sources year-round.
• Political Blame Game: Political parties accused each other of inaction, while citizens expressed frustration over recurring smog and health concerns.

Broader Environmental Context

• The post-Diwali pollution spike was worsened by stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana and unfavorable weather conditions trapping pollutants.
• The Supreme Court reiterated that no religion encourages pollution and emphasized citizens’ “right to breathe clean air.”
• The Central and Delhi governments discussed potential measures such as cloud seeding trials and stricter enforcement of construction-dust controls.

Conclusion

As Delhi continues to grapple with its post-Diwali air crisis, the recurring pattern of short-term measures and delayed enforcement remains under sharp scrutiny. While authorities and courts have renewed their calls for accountability, experts stress that the solution lies in consistent, year-round planning rather than temporary curbs.

Environmentalists argue that unless stricter action is taken against stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollutants, the capital’s winter smog will continue to return each year — only worsening public health and global perception.

For now, Delhi’s residents are left hoping that the current crisis serves as a turning point, pushing governments at both state and central levels toward stronger coordination, technological innovation, and enforcement that prioritizes the right to breathe clean air over ritual convenience.