The Supreme Court’s order to allow green crackers on a “test basis” just days before Diwali has reopened debate over balancing tradition and health.

Experts say there is no clear way to check whether a cracker is truly green, and past attempts at enforcement have been weak.

A new traffic plan has contributed to improved air quality in Chandni Chowk, a popular tourist destination in Delhi.

The highest 24-hour average PM 2.5 levels were observed at 10 pm Monday at 425.7 µg/m3 — seven times the national prescribed standards (60 µg/m3).

Experts also suggest that Delhi residents hold policymakers accountable as they now do not fear losing votes over air pollution issues.

The average PM2.5 level was 354 micrograms per cubic metre, which is over 20 times the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The PM10 levels were also above the threshold by around 12 times. IMD has issued a yellow alert.

Every year during Diwali a defiance of the Delhi government’s blanket firecracker ban deteriorates the air quality in the capital.