Delhi's Air Quality Plunges to 'Very Poor' After Diwali Celebrations Despite Green Cracker Usage

Delhi-NCR woke up to 'very poor' air quality following Diwali night celebrations, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 347 at 7 am. This marks a slight improvement compared to last year's post-Diwali morning reading of 359 at 6:30 am, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

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The Supreme Court had permitted the use and sale of green crackers for Diwali this year, attempting to balance industry interests with public health concerns.

#WATCH | Visuals from the India Gate as GRAP-2 invoked in Delhi.The Air Quality Index (AQI) around the India Gate was recorded at 342, in the 'Severe' category, in Delhi this morning as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). pic.twitter.com/ZUwDCWpdT8

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2025

The morning AQI remained consistent with Diwali evening levels. Delhi's 24-hour average AQI, reported daily at 4 pm, continued in the 'very poor' category at 345 on Monday, based on data from 38 out of 39 monitoring stations, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The CPCB warns that extended exposure to "very poor" air quality can lead to respiratory illness.

#WATCH | Visuals from near INA and AIIMS as GRAP-2 invoked in Delhi; shot at 7:05 AMThe Air Quality Index (AQI) around the RK Puram was recorded at 368, in the 'Very Poor' category, in Delhi this morning as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). pic.twitter.com/HP3HkeNcDC

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2025

Also Read: Less Harmful, But Not Harmless: Delhi Divided Over Green Crackers Ruling

Macroscopic View Of Delhi's Air Pollution

The majority of Delhi's 38 monitoring stations reported AQI in the 'very poor' category. At Anand Vihar station, PM 2.5 levels reached 358 while PM 10 registered at 340. Wazirpur station recorded a severe AQI of 408, with PM 2.5 as the primary pollutant.

Footage from near Dilli Haat, INA showed drivers using headlights as smog reduced visibility. The AQI around RK Puram was measured at 368.

#WATCH | Visuals from near Dilli Haat INA as GRAP-2 invoked in Delhi.The Air Quality Index (AQI) around the RK Puram was recorded at 368, in the 'Very Poor' category, in Delhi this morning as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). pic.twitter.com/SbDigf1Zfk

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2025

What Is AQI?

The Air Quality Index serves as a public health tool designed to communicate air pollution levels in understandable terms. Eight key pollutants determine an area's AQI: particulate matter (PM) 10, PM2.5, Ozone (O3), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb), and ammonia (NH3).

According to CPCB standards, AQI has six categories: 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

Delhi Shines With Green Crackers

On October 15, the Supreme Court permitted the use of green crackers in Delhi between October 20 and 21. The bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran noted that a complete ban on firecrackers leads to smuggling of conventional firecrackers, causing "more damaging effect than the green crackers now developed."

The court directed: "The district administration and the police shall ensure that use of firecrackers shall be confined between 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the two days i.e., the one before and on the Diwali day."

Green crackers reportedly produce 30 percent less pollution.

What Are Green Crackers

Green crackers produce approximately 30 percent less pollution than conventional firecrackers. They contain reduced amounts of chemicals like barium and aluminum, and include additives that suppress dust and smoke. These environmentally friendlier alternatives have been developed by CSIR-NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute).

Also Read: "A Cracker Is A Cracker": Top Chest Surgeon Warns Over Use Of Green Crackers