Delhi Post-Diwali Smog, 36 Stations Miss AQI Data, Firecracker Norm Flouted

Delhi recorded its worst post-Diwali air in five years, registering an average Air Quality Index of 376 amid toxic smog. Concerns have emerged over missing data, with an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air finding 227 missing hourly observations across 59 stations between midnight and 5:00 a.m. As pollution levels surged, up to 36 out of Delhi's 59 monitoring stations stopped reporting readings by 1:00 a.m. Additionally, an on-ground reality check revealed widespread violations of firecracker deadlines permitted by the Supreme Court. The situation has triggered a political blame game, with the opposition alleging tampering of pollution readings while the ruling party points to regional sources, even as citizens continue to face severe health risks from toxic air.