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On Tuesday morning residents of the planet's dirtiest urban center found themselves inhaling dangerously toxic air that was classified as the "severe" category.

Extremely High Pollution Measurements

Various sections of Delhi recorded an pollution measurement over 500, which represents 10x the healthy level established by the WHO.

In some locations, concentrations of dangerous airborne particles hit highs of 1,800, representing 15 to 20 times above healthy limits.

Pyrotechnics Prohibition and Current Changes

For the past four years, authorities had maintained a comprehensive restriction on the distribution and bursting of fireworks during the Festival of Lights due to their major role to the hazardous haze that blankets the metropolis as colder weather sets in.

Nevertheless recently, the newly elected regional administration approached the judicial authority to propose a relaxation of the ban.

Officials advocated for allowing "eco-friendly fireworks" – historically criticized by environmentalists as being only about 30% reduced emissions – as a compromise between "cultural practices and environment".

Court Verdict and Reality

Despite concerns of medical and ecological activists, the court agreed to the appeal, stipulating that environmentally conscious fireworks could be set off during designated hours throughout the celebrations.

On Monday night, there was widespread flouting of the designated hours across the city, with insufficient regulation regarding whether the fireworks being used were actually the eco-friendly variety.

Numerous recording stations throughout the capital recorded pollution peaking around late evening to the most severe readings seen during Diwali in at least the past three years.

Cross-Border Consequences

Extensive ignition of fireworks during Diwali also triggered a blame game with adjacent the neighboring country, with representatives in Pakistani Punjab pointing to worsening air quality in Lahore on pollutants traveling from India following the festivities.

Long-Standing Environmental Crisis

Alarmingly severe readings of pollution in the city have persisted as a serious problem for over a decade and a half, with the condition continuing to worsen.

During Diwali, the levels of dangerous particles in the air has been documented to increase dramatically to significantly exceeding the peak levels ever recorded in the Chinese city, which was formerly considered as the planet's dirtiest urban center.

Various Pollution Sources

This crisis in the city is caused by a mix of multiple factors including automobile exhaust, construction debris, development work, garbage fires and pollutants from agricultural fires in adjacent regions of Punjab and Haryana.

Within these states, agricultural workers illegally burn crop residue to prepare for next season, creating dangerous smog that becomes contained over the metropolitan area as cooler air arrives.

Public Health and Financial Consequences

Both financial and medical impact on the approximately 33 million people calling home the capital region is enormous, according to numerous research.

The contaminated air results in increased incidence of neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and can even lead to cancer.

Air quality crisis is estimated to be causing ten thousand untimely fatalities annually in the city.