Despite a decrease in the burning of agricultural waste in neighboring states, officials warned Tuesday that fireworks let off during celebrations for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, might impair air quality in the Indian capital this week.
According to the Swiss company IQAir, which has ranked New Delhi as the most polluted capital in the world for four consecutive years, the city was ranked second in the world on Tuesday, after Lahore in neighboring Pakistan, according to the group’s live rankings.
“Stubble burning incidents are declining, but the smoke from firecrackers needs to be controlled,” Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai told news agency ANI, urging more oversight of farm waste burning.
