The Indian capital was enveloped in a thick layer of toxic smog on Friday, as air pollution levels surged following widespread disregard for a fireworks ban during the Diwali festivities. Despite authorities’ efforts to curb the use of firecrackers, the city’s streets were filled with celebratory noise from the night before, leading to a significant deterioration in air quality.
New Delhi, a metropolis of over 30 million residents, consistently ranks among the world’s most polluted urban areas. Each year, the city suffers from harmful smog, largely attributed to stubble burning by farmers in surrounding regions, along with emissions from vehicles and industrial activity.
However, the situation worsened dramatically after Diwali, the festival of lights, which is traditionally marked by the lighting of fireworks. In preparation for the festival, local authorities had imposed a ban on the sale and use of firecrackers, attempting to mitigate the annual pollution crisis. Despite confiscating nearly two tonnes of fireworks ahead of the celebrations, many were still available for purchase in neighboring states.
While some residents opted for quieter celebrations at home—hosting family meals and lighting candles to honor the Hindu goddess Lakshmi—many others took to the streets with firecrackers, creating a cacophony that reverberated through the city well into the night.
The reluctance of law enforcement to crack down on violators, given the cultural significance of fireworks for many Hindus, has drawn criticism. Additionally, political tensions between leaders in neighboring states and the central government have further complicated the situation, hampering effective pollution control measures.
India’s Supreme Court recently affirmed that clean air is a fundamental human right, urging both central and state authorities to take decisive action against pollution. Yet, as the winter smog blankets the capital once again, the response from officials remains lackluster.
In an editorial, the Times of India lamented, “Delhi’s toxic air is killing us softly with its smog.” The publication noted that while this issue is not new, the government’s inadequate response continues to astonish year after year.
