Defying the Supreme Court ban on firecrackers to curb pollution, the sound of the crackers echoed across the national capital and poisonous smoke engulfed the city on the night of Diwali. Earlier in the day, Delhi recorded its best air quality on Diwali in the last eight years as the city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 218 at 4 PM. This was also the best AQI in at least three weeks. The national capital experienced clear skies and sunshine till evening.

On Monday morning, however, Delhi-NCR woke up breathing toxic air again as AQI deteriorated to the 'poor' category, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city was shrouded in a thick layer of haze.

People celebrated the festival of lights violating the ban. Visuals of firecracker waste in different parts of the city were also shared by ANI.

Speaking to PTI, environmentalist Bhavreen Kandhari said that the bursting of firecrackers was reported at her residential area Defence Colony too. She also informed that despite being some complaints registered at the Defence Colony police station, no change was noticed.

ALSO READ Delhi Witnesses Best Air Quality In Eight Years On Diwali; Concern Remains Over Potential Pollution By Crackers

"The Supreme Court's firm stance on firecrackers got blown in the smoke of the firecrackers. Despite warnings and a complete ban...implementing authorities have failed yet again. Wondering what stance will the Supreme Court take now? ...We are allowing our children to choke in the name of celebration," she said.

Recommended For You

In the Shahpur Jat and Hauz Khas area, several people gathered at a park of the locality to burst crackers. The intensity increased after 4 PM. In the Chhatarpur area of the national capital, sounds of firecrackers were heard from 6 PM onwards.

Previous data related to pollution shows that since the last week of October, the national capital's air quality has been at its worst. The concentration of PM 2.5 in the city has been recorded at 20 times the limit prescribed by the World Health Organisation, prompting the city government to order the closure of all primary classes and restrict the entry of trucks.

Despite the Delhi government's 'Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi' campaign and the Supreme Court's order on firecrackers, the pollution in the city continues to remain a major challenge, that too after the celebrations of Diwali.

(With inputs from agencies)


Also In News