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On Tuesday morning inhabitants of this heavily contaminated metropolis found themselves inhaling extremely polluted air that was classified as the "alarming" category.

Record-Breaking Pollution Readings

Various sections of the city showed an AQI exceeding 500, which equals 10x the safe level recommended by the World Health Organization.

Particular areas, readings of toxic particulate matter hit highs of 1,800, amounting to 15-20x exceeding healthy limits.

Fireworks Prohibition and New Developments

Since 2020, officials had implemented a comprehensive restriction on the sale and use of fireworks during Diwali due to their substantial impact to the deadly smog that engulfs the metropolis as colder weather begins.

Yet in recent months, the recently formed regional government petitioned the highest court to seek a modification of the ban.

They proposed allowing "eco-friendly fireworks" – previously criticized by conservation groups as being only approximately one-third reduced emissions – as a middle ground between "tradition and environment".

Court Ruling and Reality

Much to the frustration of environmental and health activists, judges complied with the request, specifying that eco-friendly pyrotechnics could be set off during limited time windows throughout the Diwali.

During the celebrations, there was widespread violation of the time restrictions across the city, with little regulation regarding whether the pyrotechnics being used were actually the eco-friendly version.

Numerous recording stations throughout the city recorded pollution peaking around midnight to extremely hazardous readings observed during celebrations in at least recent memory.

Cross-Border Consequences

Extensive ignition of firecrackers during the celebrations also sparked a dispute with adjacent the neighboring country, with representatives in Pakistan's Punjab province partly blaming deteriorating atmospheric conditions in the city of Lahore on pollutants originating in across the border following the events.

Chronic Environmental Crisis

Alarmingly severe readings of pollution in the capital have persisted as a significant problem for more than 15 years, with the condition continuing to worsen.

Around Diwali, the levels of dangerous particles in the atmosphere has been documented to increase dramatically to significantly exceeding the most severe readings ever measured in China's capital, which was previously considered as the planet's dirtiest metropolis.

Multiple Contamination Factors

The problem in the capital is caused by a convergence of multiple factors including automobile exhaust, airborne particles, building projects, garbage fires and smoke from crop residue ignition in neighbouring areas of Punjab and Haryana.

In these regions, agricultural workers regularly set their fields on fire to prepare for next season, producing toxic haze that becomes contained over the capital as cooler air arrives.

Public Health and Financial Consequences

The economic and health consequences on the roughly thirty-three million people calling home the capital region is significant, according to various studies.

The contaminated air causes increased incidence of nervous system, heart and circulatory and respiratory disorders, and can result in oncological diseases.

Environmental contamination is projected to be causing 10,000 early fatalities annually in the capital.