By Admin 
Like every year, the air of Delhi has become poisonous this time too during the Diwali season. On Monday, October 20, 2025, the air quality in the national capital was recorded as very poor for the seventh consecutive day. In the morning the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 400, which falls in the ‘severe’ category. This means that breathing air has now become dangerous for health.
While on one hand the air has made breathing difficult in Delhi, on the other hand the layer of poisonous foam in the Yamuna river of Delhi has made the situation more serious. On Sunday and Monday, a layer of thick white foam was seen floating on the surface of Yamuna in Kalindi Kunj area. This foam is covering the natural beauty of the river as well as pointing towards a serious environmental crisis.
Local residents say that every year before the Chhath festival, such foam forms in the Yamuna, which contaminates the water and spreads bad smell. According to scientists, this foam is formed due to industrial waste and untreated sewage falling directly into the river. These chemical substances contain harmful elements like detergent, phosphate and ammonia which produce foam and toxic gases in water.
VIDEO | Delhi: Toxic foam floats over Yamuna in Delhi. Visuals from Kalindi Kunj.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7, pic.twitter.com/4YmUVCtmKO
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 20, 2025
Supreme Court gives limited permission to green firecrackers
The Supreme Court has taken a big step to control pollution. The court has clearly said that only those firecrackers which have been approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) can be sold and burst in Delhi-NCR. These firecrackers cause up to 30% less pollution than traditional firecrackers and do not contain elements like sulfur or heavy metals.
However, the sale and use of serial fireworks is completely banned. The Supreme Court has also mandated that every green firecracker should have a QR code to verify that it is genuine and approved. Strict action will be taken against the sale or use of firecrackers without QR code.
When and for how long can crackers be burst?
The Supreme Court has set a fixed deadline for the use of green firecrackers. According to the order, their sale and burning will be allowed only from 18th to 20th October. On Diwali night, October 20, people can burn green crackers from 6 am to 7 pm and from 8 pm to 10 pm.
This time limit has been kept so that the level of pollution does not increase further. The court has also made it clear that if AQI is already in ‘severe’ condition in an area, then the local administration can ban both the sale and burning of firecrackers there.
Strict system of licensing and monitoring
Delhi Police has said that the orders of the Supreme Court will be strictly implemented. For this, 168 temporary licenses have been issued in the city so that green firecrackers can be sold at designated places only. Every retailer must ensure that they sell only NEERI approved and PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization) certified crackers.
Teams of police and administrative agencies have been formed to keep an eye on the sale. After Diwali, shopkeepers will be given two days to return the unsold firecrackers or destroy them safely. The licenses of those shopkeepers who do not follow the rules will be immediately suspended.
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