Delhi Residents Face Severe Air Quality Despite Green Diwali Efforts, Experts Warn of Health Risks

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The Delhi–NCR air quality became perilously bad a day after the Diwali celebration, even as expectations of a cleaner celebration were raised. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was approximately 451 at 7 am on October 21, placing it well within the "severe" category.

To put this into perspective, the neighboring satellite towns of Noida and Gurgaon had AQI ratings of 407 and 402, respectively. By standard classification by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI rating of 401–500 is ‘severe’, meaning severe health hazards for all people. 

'Green Crackers' Don't Help Stem Pollution Increase

This year, the Supreme Court permitted the use of ‘green crackers’ in the Delhi-NCR area in two time slots, 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm on the day before and Diwali day. These firecrackers were created to lower pollutants by approximately 30%.

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But specialists warn that the reduced emission gain is simply undone by enormous amounts of fireworks consumption, particularly when enforcement is lax. As one expert explained: "Green crackers are cleaner, not clean … even a 30 percent emission cut does not make the air safe to breathe."

Weather and Other Conditions Exacerbate the Smog

In addition to fireworks, meteorological and seasonal conditions added to the pollution. Stagnant winds, nighttime coolness, and a thin boundary layer of the atmosphere restricted the dispersion of pollutants, resulting in thick smog.

Authorities had already initiated stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) before Diwali, which included mechanized road sweeping, water sprinkling, increased public transport, and diesel generator set restrictions.

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Health Alert and Public Reaction


The severe drop has elicited health alerts for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory/cardiac conditions. Ongoing exposure to high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10) and ultra-fine particles associated with increased asthma, bronchitis, stroke, and heart disease risk continues to be a problem.

Residents awoke to thick haze, impaired visibility, and smoke in the air (although some mentioned inability to see physically, reports were not going to be surprised). Many expressed frustration about the lack of connection between the ‘green Diwali’ messaging and the air quality outcome.

Ahead of Us: Scant Respite, Action Now Necessary


The prognosis isn't very good for a quick about-turn. The absence of strong winds and prevailing seasonal conditions implies that smog will continue to haunt the city in the days ahead. Experts feel that regulation of fireworks will not work; more fundamental structural interventions are required.

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These are tighter enforcement of prohibitions on sales of crackers, improved quality monitoring, reduction of vehicular and industrial emissions, and an increase in public awareness.

As one commentator concluded, while ‘green crackers’ may represent progress, they are still a stopgap. Without sustained policy measures and behavioral change, Delhi’s annual pollution crisis post-Diwali remains far from overcome.

Conclusion


This year's effort at a ‘green Diwali’ in Delhi might have stayed within the shape of celebration, but not its environmental impact. With the air becoming toxic even with time-limited slots and allegedly cleaner firecrackers, the episode highlights the intricacy of addressing urban air pollution.

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As Delhi heads into the winter smog period, the challenge is evident: filling the gap between symbolic transition and genuine action on the ground.