Photos: Delhi battles pollution despite cleanest Diwali in 3 years

Delhi had its cleanest Delhi in three years but yet pollution levels spiked across various regions of Delhi NCR as many people went ahead with bursting firecrackers on the occasion of festival of lights- Diwali. A Supreme Court ban on the sale of firecrackers in the national capital region (NCR) only limited their availability which left enough room for a spike in pollution levels. ...read more

1 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

Low visibility due to thick layer of smog was observed after Diwali night in New Delhi. Despite this being Delhi’s cleanest Diwali in three years following a Supreme Court ban on sale of crackers in the national capital region (NCR), pollution still soared as many residents burst crackers. (Ravi Choudhary / HT PHOTO)

2 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

A view of road near Akshardham validates the poor AQI (air quality index) of 319 on Friday morning. At this level of air quality, people are advised to avoid all outdoor physical activities and stay indoors as much as possible. However, this was much better than 2016 when AQI on Diwali was 431. (Ravi Choudhary/HT PHOTO)

3 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

High level of smog seen in the street lights after Diwali celebrations in New Delhi. Environmental pollution — from filthy air to contaminated water is known to kill more people every year than war and violence in the world. (Mohd Zakir / HT PHOTO)

4 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

Children burst crackers on the occasion of ‘Diwali’ in New Delhi. The Supreme Court on October 9 had banned the sale of firecrackers in the Delhi NCR region until October 31. However, there was no such order against buying and bursting, and Delhi is solely responsible for the air it breathes due to the current weather conditions. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

5 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

A girl protects her face amid heavy smog due to bursting of firecrackers in New Delhi. Even though firecrackers were burst in most parts of the city, the noise level was much less due to lack of easy availability. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

6 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

A sign board shows the poor condition of the air at Lodhi Road Meteorological office after the Diwali celebrations in New Delhi. (Sushil Kumar/HT PHOTO)

7 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

The scattered remains from bursting of firecrackers is being swept by a worker on Friday morning following Diwali. (Sushil Kumar/HT PHOTO)

8 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

Thick smog and pollution engulfed India Gate after the Diwali celebrations in New Delhi last night. (Arvind Yadav/HT PHOTO)

9 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

Thick smog engulfs the atmosphere in Delhi, the morning after Diwali. Amongst the suburbs, Anand Vihar had the highest PM10 reading at 2402 and was seen as the most polluted spot in Delhi. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

10 / 10

Updated on Oct 20, 2017 02:48 PM IST

Post Diwali night, Delhi woke up to a sky covered by smog with little or no visibility in various parts of the city as pollution monitoring stations across Delhi glowed red, indicating a very poor quality of air. However Delhi still observed its cleanest Diwali in three years owing to restrictions on sale of firecrackers imposed by the Supreme Court. (Ravi Choudhury / HT Photo)