As winter approaches, Delhi experiences a familiar cycle of escalating air pollution, marked by a heavy grey haze and declining temperatures. This seasonal shift is exacerbated by various factors, including festive emissions, vehicular pollution, construction dust, and stubble burning. The situation in 2026 mirrors previous years, with Diwali being recorded as the fourth most polluted day of the year, showing a staggering daily average PM2.5 concentration of 257 µg/m³, as reported by Dr. Manoj Kumar from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

The days leading up to Diwali—November 5, 6, and 7—were also among the worst for air quality, ranking sixth, seventh, and eighth in pollution levels for the year. This alarming trend has reignited discussions about the underlying causes of air pollution in the capital, particularly the role of firecrackers during the festival.

The Controversy Over Green Crackers

This year, the introduction of “green crackers,” designed to reduce particulate matter emissions by at least 30 per cent compared to traditional firecrackers, has garnered significant attention. However, environmentalist Abhiir Bhalla has critiqued these products as mere “greenwashing,” arguing that they often fail to meet the necessary emission standards. He emphasised the need for stringent oversight to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Another environmentalist, Siddhant Sarang, clarified that green crackers should not be viewed as pollution-free but rather as a step towards mitigating environmental impact. He pointed out that while the technology aims for a reduction in emissions, it does not guarantee a proportional decrease in overall pollution, as factors like the total number of crackers used and local weather conditions play a crucial role.

Experts agree that while firecrackers significantly contribute to pollution spikes during festivals, they are not the sole cause of Delhi’s persistent air quality issues. A study from IIT-Delhi indicated that fireworks account for approximately 95 per cent of elemental PM2.5 during peak celebratory periods, underscoring the need to address both immediate and structural sources of pollution.

Enforcement Challenges and Data Gaps

The Supreme Court of India has opted against an outright ban on firecrackers, instead allowing regulated use of certified green crackers during specific hours. However, enforcement remains a significant challenge, with many violations going unpunished. Bhalla highlighted that enforcement agencies often react only when air quality deteriorates to severe levels, rather than taking proactive measures.

Furthermore, CREA’s findings revealed critical data gaps during pollution peaks. For instance, 36 monitoring stations in Delhi lacked hourly PM2.5 data at 1:00 AM on November 9, coinciding with a spike in pollution levels. Additionally, some stations maxed out at 1,000 µg/m³, preventing accurate public communication regarding extreme toxin concentrations.

Experts stress the importance of a robust regulatory framework that is consistently enforced to effectively tackle air pollution. The Supreme Court’s approach aims to balance environmental concerns with the right to celebrate, but the success of such measures will depend on their implementation and public cooperation.

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