Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and India’s Sherpa at the G20 conference, has made a strong comment on the air quality of Delhi on Tuesday (October 21, 2025). He said that Delhi’s air has reached a critical state and only with rigorous and sustained efforts can the city be saved from a health and environmental disaster.

At the same time, Abitabh Kant also commented on the Supreme Court’s order to burst crackers on Diwali. He said that the Supreme Court has given priority to the right to burst crackers over the right to live and breathe.

His sharp comment came at a time when the national capital woke up the next morning with a thick layer of poisonous smog after continuous bursting of firecrackers. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) in the country’s capital Delhi was recorded at 357 at 1 pm on Tuesday (October 21, 2025), which falls in the very poor category.

Supreme Court gives permission to burst firecrackers in Delhi

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had partially lifted the ban on firecrackers and allowed Delhiites to burn green firecrackers. The court had said that it is adopting a balanced approach so that the religious and social sentiments of the people can be taken into account without compromising on environmental concerns.

The Supreme Court had given permission to burst firecrackers for two nights of Diwali, from 6 to 7 am and from 8 to 10 pm, but in many areas of Delhi-NCR, firecrackers continued to burn till after midnight.

Delhi’s air quality lies in shambles: 36/38 monitoring stations have hit the ‘red zone,’ AQI is above 400 in key areas. The Hon. The Supreme Court in its wisdom has prioritized the right to burn crackers over the right to live and breathe. Delhi remains among the world’s most…

— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) October 21, 2025

Delhi included among the most polluted capitals of the world- Amitabh Kant

Former CEO of NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant made a post on social media platform X on Tuesday (October 21, 2025). In which he said, ‘Delhi’s air quality has completely deteriorated. 36 out of 38 monitoring stations have reached the red zone and AQI is beyond 400 in many major areas of the capital. The Honorable Supreme Court in its wisdom has placed the right to burst crackers above the right to live and breathe. Delhi remains among the most polluted capitals of the world. If Los Angeles, Beijing and London can do it, why not Delhi? Only strict and sustained efforts can save Delhi from this health and environmental disaster.

Also read: Delhi becomes the most polluted city in the world, after Diwali, a blanket of smog covered the sky; This city also included in TOP-10