Air purity has been compromised across the country following Diwali. Air quality has deteriorated from the national capital Delhi to the economic capital Mumbai. Delhi’s AQI has remained in the ‘very poor’ category continuously. According to the latest data, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 354. On Tuesday morning, Delhi’s AQI crossed 500. In Delhi, 32 out of 35 AQI monitors have exceeded the 300 mark. After Diwali, Bawana remained the most polluted area with an AQI of 427. Air quality in Kolkata and Howrah also deteriorated rapidly on Kali Puja night.

According to data, 32 out of 35 AQI monitors in Delhi have exceeded the 300 mark. Bawana remained Delhi’s most polluted area with 427. Jahangirpuri (407), Wazirpur (408), Bawana (427), and Burari (402) have entered the ‘severe’ category (above 401). Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 360. An AQI between 301 and 400 is considered ‘very poor’.

Delhi pollution

Environmental experts reported that air quality in Kolkata and Howrah deteriorated rapidly due to firecrackers being burst beyond the designated hours on Kali Puja night. An official stated that at 10 PM, the AQI in Belur, Howrah reached 364, while at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata it reached 186 PM 2.5.

Violation of Supreme Court Directives

The Supreme Court had permitted the use of green firecrackers between 8 PM and 10 PM in Delhi-NCR during the celebration. However, many people violated the court’s directives and celebrations continued late into the night.

Air Quality Issues in Bengal

In Howrah district, Padmapukur recorded an AQI of 361, while Ghushuri exceeded 252. In Kolkata, Balliganj recorded an AQI of 173, and Jadavpur recorded 169. The Rabindra Bharati University (Sinthi) area reached an AQI of 167. According to reports, loud firecrackers were used in the northern and southern parts of Kolkata and Howrah.

Poor Conditions in Other Parts of the Country

Apart from Delhi, several other major Indian cities recorded air quality in less dangerous categories. Mumbai (214), Patna (224), Jaipur (231) were placed in the ‘poor’ category, while Bengaluru (94) was ‘satisfactory’ and Hyderabad (107), Chennai (153) recorded AQI in the ‘moderate’ category.

Anticipating a potential increase in pollution levels after Diwali, despite only ‘green fireworks’ being permitted, the Commission for Air Quality Management had already implemented Phase 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan in the National Capital Region.

Delhi

Delhi is India’s capital territory and a historic city that has served as the capital for several empires, including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. It is home to numerous historic landmarks, such as the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb, which reflect its long and layered history. Today, it is a bustling modern metropolis that seamlessly blends its ancient heritage with contemporary urban life.

Mumbai

Mumbai is a major port city on India’s west coast, historically known as Bombay. It was originally a collection of seven islands that were merged through land reclamation projects during British colonial rule, becoming a center for trade and commerce. Today, it is India’s financial, commercial, and entertainment capital, home to the Bollywood film industry and iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India.

Kolkata

Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, was the capital of British India until 1911 and served as the center of the British East India Company’s operations. It is a historic and cultural hub of India, renowned for its colonial architecture, vibrant arts scene, and as the birthplace of major literary and social reform movements. The city is famously associated with figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Mother Teresa.

Howrah

Howrah is a bustling city in West Bengal, India, located on the western bank of the Hooghly River, directly opposite Kolkata. It is historically and culturally significant as a major transportation and industrial hub, with its iconic Howrah Bridge (now Rabindra Setu)—one of the world’s busiest cantilever bridges—connecting it to Kolkata since 1943. The city’s history is deeply intertwined with the British colonial era, serving as a crucial gateway and industrial center for the region.

Victoria Memorial

The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building in Kolkata, India, built between 1906 and 1921. It was dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria, the Empress of India, and now serves as a museum and popular tourist attraction. The memorial symbolizes the British Raj in India and houses a collection of artifacts from the colonial period.

Rabindra Bharati University

Rabindra Bharati University is a public university located in Kolkata, India, established in 1962. It was named in honor of the first Indian Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, to preserve and promote his cultural and intellectual legacy. The university is situated in the family homes of the Tagore family, Jorasanko Thakur Bari, which is a historically significant site where Tagore was born and spent much of his life.

Jaipur

Jaipur is the vibrant capital of India’s Rajasthan state, famously known as the “Pink City” for the distinctive terracotta pink color of its historic buildings. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, it was one of the first planned cities of India, laid out according to Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian architectural doctrine. The city is renowned for its majestic forts, palaces, and bustling markets, with the Hawa Mahal and Amer Fort being among its most iconic landmarks.

Chennai

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is a major metropolitan city on the Bay of Bengal in southern India. It was founded in 1639 with the establishment of Fort St. George by the British East India Company, which became a crucial center for trade and administration. Today, it is a vibrant cultural hub renowned for its classical dance, music, and distinctive Tamil cuisine.