Delhi Battles Pollution as Diwali Firecrackers Linger

On October 15, 2025, as Delhi prepares to celebrate the Diwali festival of lights, the city's ongoing battle with air pollution has taken center stage. The Supreme Court has issued a ruling that allows for the controlled use of "green firecrackers" developed by federal research institutes to reduce emissions during the festivities.

Despite this effort to balance cultural celebrations with environmental concerns, the capital city's air quality remains a pressing issue. Delhi, home to some 30 million people, routinely ranks among the world's most polluted cities, with thick smog shrouding the region each winter. During the peak pollution period, concentrations of PM2.5 - tiny airborne particles that penetrate deep into the lungs - can surge to more than 60 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily limit.

The widespread bursting of firecrackers during Diwali has been a significant contributor to this air quality crisis in the past. While the court's decision to permit the use of less-polluting crackers is a step in the right direction, environmental activists have expressed skepticism about their actual efficacy in reducing the risks to public health and the environment.