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On Tuesday morning inhabitants of this heavily contaminated metropolis found themselves breathing severely hazardous air that was classified as the "alarming" category.

Record-Breaking Pollution Readings

Several parts of Delhi registered an AQI above 500, which equals 10x the healthy limit established by the WHO.

In some locations, readings of toxic particulate matter reached peaks of 1800, representing 15-20x exceeding safe levels.

Fireworks Ban and Current Policy Shifts

Beginning in 2020, officials had maintained a complete ban on the distribution and bursting of fireworks during the Festival of Lights due to their significant contribution to the deadly pollution that engulfs the metropolis as the cold season sets in.

However in recent months, the newly elected local leadership approached the highest court to request a modification of the prohibition.

The suggestion was allowing "green crackers" – which have been questioned by environmentalists as being only approximately one-third reduced emissions – as a balance between "tradition and ecological concerns".

Judicial Ruling and Enforcement

Much to the frustration of medical and ecological campaigners, judicial authorities agreed to the request, stipulating that green firecrackers could be used during specific hours throughout the Diwali.

During the celebrations, there was widespread violation of the regulated periods across the capital, with minimal monitoring regarding whether the pyrotechnics being used were actually the more environmentally friendly variety.

Many monitoring devices throughout Delhi showed pollution peaking around late evening to the most severe readings recorded during celebrations in at least recent memory.

Regional Effects

Extensive ignition of fireworks during the celebrations also initiated a controversy with bordering the neighboring country, with representatives in Pakistan's the Punjab region pointing to deteriorating pollution levels in Lahore on pollutants originating in India following the events.

Chronic Pollution Crisis

The dangerously high readings of pollution in Delhi have remained as a significant problem for more than 15 years, with the situation showing no improvement.

During Diwali, the concentration of toxic particles in the air has been documented to shoot up to 70% higher the worst readings ever recorded in the Chinese city, which was once regarded as the globally most contaminated city.

Various Contamination Factors

This crisis in the city is resulting from a convergence of various sources including heavy vehicle emissions, construction debris, development work, waste incineration and pollutants from farm burning in neighbouring states of neighboring agricultural zones.

In these regions, farmers routinely set their fields on fire to expedite field preparation, creating dangerous pollution that then gets trapped over the city as colder air descends.

Medical and Economic Impact

The economic and health toll on the nearly 33 million inhabitants living in the Delhi area is enormous, according to multiple investigations.

These hazardous conditions results in increased incidence of neurological, heart and circulatory and lung diseases, and can potentially cause cancer.

The pollution is estimated to be causing approximately 10k untimely deaths annually in Delhi.