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Indore ranks second most polluted Indian city after Diwali firecracker haze
✍️ Amar Ujala · Indore
🗓 09 Nov 2026, 08:45 PM
👁 13
Air quality in Indore deteriorated sharply on Diwali night due to firecracker smoke, pushing the city to the second‑most polluted spot nationwide, mayor said celebrations shouldn't be measured by AQI.
The night of Diwali saw a sudden surge in particulate matter across Indore as firecracker emissions blanketed the city. Monitoring agencies recorded an AQI that placed Indore at the second‑highest pollution level among Indian cities for the day.
City officials confirmed that the spike was directly linked to the widespread use of fireworks, which released large quantities of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine dust into the atmosphere. The temporary deterioration pushed the city behind only one other metropolitan area in the national pollution ranking.
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav addressed the media, urging residents to enjoy festive celebrations without using air‑quality indices as a yardstick for happiness. He emphasized that while the health impact of poor air is real, the spirit of Diwali should not be reduced to a numerical score.
The municipal corporation has warned citizens to limit outdoor activities until the air clears and has urged the use of greener firecracker alternatives for future festivals. Health advisories were also issued for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.
City officials confirmed that the spike was directly linked to the widespread use of fireworks, which released large quantities of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine dust into the atmosphere. The temporary deterioration pushed the city behind only one other metropolitan area in the national pollution ranking.
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav addressed the media, urging residents to enjoy festive celebrations without using air‑quality indices as a yardstick for happiness. He emphasized that while the health impact of poor air is real, the spirit of Diwali should not be reduced to a numerical score.
The municipal corporation has warned citizens to limit outdoor activities until the air clears and has urged the use of greener firecracker alternatives for future festivals. Health advisories were also issued for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.