Hospitals across Indian capital see surge in respiratory illnesses as air pollution worsens after celebration of Hindu festival

After Diwali 2025, New Delhi’s air quality has dropped drastically, with several parts of the city recording “Severe” to “Hazardous” AQI levels. Firecracker pollution, stagnant winds, and vehicle emissions have contributed to the city’s thick smog.

Thick smog is blanketing New Delhi after Diwali celebrations with fireworks sent air pollution levels soaring.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 341 as of 1 pm on Wednesday, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. However, certain localities such as Punjabi Bagh and Wazirpur recorded ‘severe’ levels, with AQI readings of 419 and 394, respectively, Hindustan Times reported.

Post-Diwali air pollution in Delhi surged to alarming levels, with PM 2.5 averaging 488 µg/m³, a 212% increase from pre-Diwali figures. A recent report attributes this spike to firecracker emissions,

The Hospitality industry in the city is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Government of NCT of Delhi to reduce the fee for big

Vaani Kapoor found herself at the center of an online debate this Diwali after she shared a story on Instagram highlighting Delhi’s worsening air quality. While her concern over pollution struck a chord with some followers,

Bhardwaj further claimed that such statements attempted to communalise an environmental issue and divert attention from the government’s failure to control pollution.

Diwali, derived from the word “Deepavali,” meaning “a row of lights,” is typically celebrated by socializing and exchanging gifts. The dates of the festival are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, typically falling in late October or early November. Shoppers crowded markets to buy flowers, lanterns and candles.

Bhardwaj said, \"They are corrupt and criminals, what they have done is a criminal act... Four different government agencies worked together to collect