The national capital woke up to thick and heavy layer of smog on Tuesday, a day after Diwali festivities, as the air quality deteriorated to the ‘very poor’ category.

The Supreme Court had allowed the bursting of green firecrackers between 8 pm and 10 pm on the festival day. However, these rules were widely flouted, with firecrackers being used well outside the permitted windows.

#WATCH | Visuals from Akshardham temple as GRAP-2 invoked in Delhi.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) around Akshardham was recorded at 358, in the 'Very Poor' category, in Delhi this morning as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). pic.twitter.com/6JxECL9uPe — ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2025

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 350

See Full Page