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As Tuesday dawned inhabitants of the world's most polluted city encountered inhaling severely hazardous air that fell into the "critical" range.

Extremely High Air Quality Readings

Various sections of the capital registered an air quality index over 500, which equals ten times the safe level established by the WHO.

In some locations, readings of toxic particulate matter reached peaks of 1800, amounting to 15 to 20 times higher than healthy standards.

Firecracker Prohibition and Recent Changes

For the past four years, authorities had enforced a complete ban on the distribution and bursting of pyrotechnics during celebrations due to their substantial impact to the hazardous pollution that blankets the capital as the cold season sets in.

However recently, the recently formed regional government appealed to the supreme court to seek a easing of the prohibition.

Officials advocated for allowing "environmentally conscious pyrotechnics" – previously doubted by environmentalists as being only roughly 30 percent less polluting – as a balance between "tradition and environment".

Court Verdict and Implementation

To the disappointment of public health and environmental advocates, judges agreed to the proposal, specifying that environmentally conscious fireworks could be ignited during specific periods throughout the Diwali.

During the celebrations, there was extensive violation of the regulated periods across the metropolis, with little regulation regarding whether the firecrackers being used were actually the more environmentally friendly variety.

Many air quality sensors throughout Delhi recorded pollution reaching highest levels around late evening to some of the worst readings recorded during the festival in at least recent memory.

Cross-Border Effects

The proliferation of firecrackers during the festival also sparked a dispute with bordering Pakistan, with authorities in Pakistani the Punjab region pointing to deteriorating pollution levels in the city of Lahore on pollutants traveling from India following the events.

Chronic Pollution Crisis

Alarmingly severe readings of pollution in the capital have remained as a significant problem for over a decade and a half, with the problem gradually deteriorating.

During the festival period, the concentration of dangerous particulate matter in the atmosphere has been found to increase dramatically to 70% higher the peak records ever documented in China's capital, which was formerly viewed as the globally most contaminated city.

Multiple Contamination Contributors

The problem in Delhi is resulting from a mix of multiple factors including heavy vehicle emissions, dust, construction activities, rubbish burning and pollutants from farm burning in nearby areas of farming communities.

In these regions, rural residents illegally burn crop residue to prepare for next season, creating hazardous pollution that becomes contained over the city as colder air arrives.

Public Health and Economic Consequences

The economic and health toll on the nearly 33 million residents calling home the Delhi area is enormous, according to various studies.

These hazardous conditions results in increased incidence of nervous system, cardiovascular and lung diseases, and can potentially cause malignancies.

The pollution is projected to be accounting for 10,000 premature fatalities per year in Delhi.