Delhi NCR air remains severely toxic post-Diwali festival

Delhi and its adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) cities continue to suffer from hazardous air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) consistently in the 'very poor' to 'severe' range following Diwali celebrations. Despite Supreme Court regulations permitting limited firecracker use, widespread violations led to persistent pollution from fireworks, compounded by stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, which reports indicate has increased significantly in recent days. The pollution crisis is exacerbated by meteorological conditions such as low wind speeds and cooler temperatures that trap pollutants near the ground. Delhi's Chief Minister acknowledged the ongoing issue and plans to address crop residue burning with Punjab authorities. Official forecasts warn that poor air quality will persist through the weekend, with most monitoring stations recording hazardous pollution levels. Efforts to reduce stubble burning and promote machinery alternatives have had limited success amid this recurring annual environmental challenge.