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As Tuesday dawned residents of this heavily contaminated metropolis encountered exposed to severely hazardous air that was classified as the "severe" level.

Extremely High Pollution Readings

Multiple areas of the capital recorded an AQI exceeding 500, which equals ten times the healthy level recommended by the WHO.

In some locations, readings of PM2.5 and PM10 reached peaks of 1,800, representing 15 to 20 times higher than safe limits.

Firecracker Restrictions and Current Developments

For the past four years, authorities had implemented a comprehensive restriction on the distribution and bursting of fireworks during the Festival of Lights due to their substantial impact to the deadly haze that covers the metropolis as winter approaches.

Nevertheless in recent months, the current local leadership petitioned the judicial authority to propose a modification of the ban.

Officials advocated for allowing "environmentally conscious pyrotechnics" – which have been doubted by conservation groups as being only roughly 30 percent lower impact – as a middle ground between "cultural practices and public health".

Court Ruling and Implementation

To the disappointment of environmental and health advocates, the court agreed to the appeal, specifying that environmentally conscious fireworks could be set off during designated hours throughout the celebrations.

During the celebrations, there was widespread disregard of the time restrictions across the city, with little enforcement regarding whether the fireworks being used were actually the more environmentally friendly variety.

Many recording stations throughout the city registered pollution spiking around midnight to some of the worst measurements seen during the festival in at least recent memory.

International Consequences

The widespread use of firecrackers during the festival also initiated a blame game with neighbouring Pakistan, with representatives in Pakistani Punjab province partially attributing declining atmospheric conditions in Lahore on hazardous particles coming from India following the events.

Persistent Environmental Issue

Alarmingly severe levels of atmospheric toxins in Delhi have continued as a serious problem for over a decade and a half, with the condition showing no improvement.

Around the festival period, the levels of dangerous airborne contaminants in the environment has been observed to increase dramatically to 70% higher the most severe readings ever recorded in China's capital, which was once considered as the globally most contaminated city.

Various Pollution Contributors

The problem in the capital is caused by a convergence of different contributors including transportation pollution, dust, building projects, garbage fires and haze from crop residue ignition in nearby states of farming communities.

In these regions, rural residents illegally burn crop residue to clear them quickly, producing hazardous pollution that becomes contained over the city as cooler air descends.

Medical and Economic Impact

Public health and economic impact on the nearly 33 million people calling home the Delhi area is significant, according to various research.

The contaminated air results in increased incidence of nervous system, cardiovascular and breathing diseases, and can even lead to cancer.

The pollution is projected to be responsible for ten thousand early fatalities per year in the capital.