'Green Diwali' Turns Toxic as AQI 'Very Poor', 'Severe' in Several Areas Across Delhi
New Delhi: The assumption by both the Supreme Court and the Delhi government that using green crackers could keep pollution under check turned out to be damp squib, as the national capital region woke up to thick layers of smog and the AQI (Air Quality Index) metre hit ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ levels at various places on Tuesday (October 21), the morning after Diwali.
Thirty-three monitoring stations out of 36 showed pollution levels in the ‘red zone’, indicating ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ air quality across the national capital, while a majority of other stations remained in the ‘very poor’ category where AQI readings remained between 300 and 400.
Press Trust of India shared visuals that showed a thick blanket of smog covering the city that led to very poor visibility on several arterial roads.
The overall AQI of the city stood at 359 at 10 am on October 21, while according to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi recorded an AQI of 345 on the afternoon of Diwali.
VIDEO | Delhi wakes up to a hazy morning as thick smog engulfs the city, reducing visibility across major stretches. Visuals from Mansingh Road and Kartavya Path. Stage II (GRAP-2) measures have been enforced in Delhi-NCR as air quality slips into the ‘poor’ category.#Delhi… pic.twitter.com/kd0ydhZDVt
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 21, 2025
The World Health Organisation's guidelines say that any exposure of PM2.5 should not be more than 15 micrograms per cubic metre over a period of 24 hours. However, Delhi’s AQI is much higher, and in some parts nearly 24 times higher than the recommended level.
At several places, residents of Delhi complained about breathing difficulties. Last year, a similar situation around Diwali saw the number of lung disorder patients going up manifold, with children under ten years old the worst affected. The 2025 data is still awaited but is likely to be more or less the same.
The toxic smoke over the national capital drew criticism from unusual quarters too. Former CEO of NITI Aayog and ex-G20 sherpa, Amitabh Kant, hit out at the Supreme Court and said that the apex court chose the ‘right to burn crackers’ over the right to live.
On Sunday, Delhi government officials invoked the second stage of the Graded Response Action Plan in the city and its suburbs, and placed restrictions on the use of diesel generators and the burning of coal and firewood in a bid to improve air quality.
VIDEO | Delhi: PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Chairman, Dr. GC Khilnani speaks to PTI on air pollution affecting people of Delhi NCR.
He says, “Air pollution in Delhi-NCR affects everyone, even healthy people experience sore throat, headaches,… pic.twitter.com/SyXPlF3adL
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 21, 2025
Meanwhile, Delhi environment minister Manjinder Sirsa said that the erstwhile ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was ‘falsely’ pointing the finger at ‘Diwali’ celebrations.
“Their [the AAP's] blaming Diwali, it is false. It is only meant to please one section [of society]. Aurangzeb and Akbar's favourites are saying this. Those who put up Tipu Sultan's photo in the legislative assembly, they're saying it,” the minister said at a press conference on Tuesday.
He also alleged that the AAP's government in Punjab was forcing farmers who otherwise did not wish to burn their crop stubble to set fire to it.
The AQI in the city had increased after Diwali night by “only 11 points” from 345 to 356, he claimed. “So will you hold Diwali responsible? Will you place all those in Delhi who believe in sanatan and Hindu dharma in the dock? How can someone be faulted for wanting to celebrate a religious day with faith and what stomach-ache is this causing to the AAP?”
This article went live on October twenty-first, two thousand twenty five, at forty-eight minutes past three in the afternoon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
