An Indian parliamentarian has blamed Delhi’s worst air pollution in years on the rich setting off “revenge fireworks” after the Supreme Court lifted a longstanding ban on Diwali pyrotechnics.
The Hindu festival of Diwali was celebrated on Monday by lighting lamps and bursting heavy fireworks. Particulate matter released from the fireworks mixed with seasonal pollution – caused by vehicular traffic, construction activities and the burning of crop residue in neighbouring states – and stagnant weather conditions to drive air quality down in much of northern India.
