Diwali-2022: Delhites defy ban on bursting of firecrackers; what is the air quality on morning after Diwali

New Delhi: Delhi's air quality turned very poor on morning after Diwali as people in many parts of Delhi burst firecrackers on Diwali flouting the ban.

Loud thuds of firecrackers could be heard throughout the Diwali night breaking permissible decibel limits that made the air unbreathable. People began bursting crackers by dusk, and as the night progressed, the intensity of firecrackers increased.

The Delhi government had banned the production, storage, sale and bursting of firecrackers this Diwali in view of environmental concerns and health hazards associated with it. 

Last week, the Supreme Court had also declined to lift the ban on firecrackers in Delhi citing pollution. 

In addition to firecrackers, air pollution in Delhi during the Diwali period is made worse by stubble burning in neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab.

Emissions from firecrackers and stubble burning have contributed significantly to Delhi's PM2.5 pollution on Diwali over the years. Experts say their share this year was relatively less than previous years.