Delhi ranks as world's most polluted city as firework ban is ignored

New Delhi has been ranked as the world's most polluted city, with an air quality index (AQI) of 339, partly due to a disregard for the firecracker ban during Diwali celebrations. This level is slightly lower than the 358 recorded the day after Diwali in 2023. Despite the ban on firecrackers, enforcement remains challenging, and some groups argue it disrupts festival traditions. The Delhi Environment Minister noted that pollution levels did not rise as much as expected after Diwali. The city's air quality is expected to stay in the "very poor" category for the rest of the week, coinciding with ongoing stubble burning in nearby regions.