Actor Bhumi Pednekar has voiced concerns over deteriorating air quality, fire incidents, littered roads, late-night noise and the impact of firecrackers on animals in the aftermath of Diwali celebrations. Her comments came after Mumbai prohibited rockets and other aerial firecrackers until November 25, following 142 fire incidents reported in the city on November 8, of which 137 were linked to firecrackers.
Delhi also experienced a sharp rise in pollution levels on Monday, November 9, after firecrackers were burst throughout the night. According to real-time data from AQI.in, the city's Air Quality Index stood at 663 at 8.01 am, after reaching a peak of 1,331 at 1.31 am. These figures are independent of the official AQI readings released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Sharing an Instagram Story, Bhumi highlighted the situation following the celebrations and tagged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police.
“Houses have caught fire, the AQI is hazardous, roads are full of waste, it’s 3 am and all I can hear are loud crackers. Our roads were full of people bursting crackers on them, out in the open, even when it’s not allowed. This is heartbreaking. @mybmc @mumbaipolice (sic),” she wrote.
On Monday morning, the actor shared another post highlighting the environmental and health consequences of firecrackers. The message called for more responsible Diwali celebrations, urging people to consider how the festivities affect vulnerable individuals and animals.
“Diwali is a festival of light, love, family and new beginnings. But every year, along with the celebrations, comes a familiar aftermath: polluted air, firecracker waste, noise and frightened animals. Firecrackers release fine particulate matter and other pollutants that add to an already challenging air-quality situation. And the impact isn’t experienced equally. Children, older people, those with respiratory conditions and animals are particularly vulnerable. This year, let’s make a choice that allows everyone, including the ones who cannot speak for themselves, to enjoy the festival,” the post read.
Celebrities speak out
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri also expressed concern after a stray rocket landed on a sofa on his balcony and triggered a fire. In a post directed at the mayor, he revealed that his dogs alerted the family in time, while the sofa's fire-resistant material helped avert a potentially dangerous situation.
Agnihotri demanded stricter implementation of safety regulations and accountability from officials responsible for public awareness, enforcing court directives and preventing violations. He also called on the authorities to investigate the fire incidents and identify those responsible wherever negligence or failures in enforcement were found.
Delhi records overnight surge in pollution
AQI.in recorded Delhi's AQI at 663 on Monday morning, almost 69 per cent above the reading of 393 registered on October 21, 2025, the day after Diwali that year. A thick layer of smog was also visible over the city's Inderlok neighbourhood.
Pollution levels began climbing rapidly late on Sunday. The AQI.in reading was 681 at 9.31 pm, increased to 1,153 by 11 pm and peaked at 1,331 at 1.31 am. Although the figures declined in the early hours of Monday, the AQI remained at 663.
The spike came after several consecutive days of poor air quality. On November 8, the CPCB's official 24-hour AQI stood at 376, placing Delhi in the 'very poor' category. The official forecast had also cautioned that pollution could reach the 'severe' category on November 9.
Delhi's AQI.in reading had climbed from 124 on October 30 to 393 on November 2, before touching 464 at 11.31 am on November 3. The temporary improvement brought by rain and strong winds towards the end of October did not last, as dry weather returned and pollutants from vehicles, factories, construction activity, road dust and waste burning began accumulating.
Firecracker smoke added further fine particles and pollutants to the atmosphere. Weak winds and unfavourable weather conditions also restricted the dispersal of pollutants. Smoke from crop-residue burning in neighbouring states could have contributed to the worsening air quality during this period.
As pollution levels deteriorated ahead of Diwali, the Commission for Air Quality Management had introduced Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR on November 6.
Mumbai bans aerial firecrackers
The Mumbai Disaster Management Authority's order prohibits aerial firecrackers in both public and private areas. The restriction extends to residential buildings, rooftops, balconies, parking spaces and slum settlements.
Issued under the Disaster Management Act, the order was signed by Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajakta Lavangare-Verma in her role as chairperson-in-charge of the Urban Disaster Management Authority, Brihanmumbai. It came into effect immediately on November 9 and will continue until 11.59 pm on November 25.
Two women sustained injuries in the 142 fire incidents reported across Mumbai on November 8. The number of fires linked to firecrackers was higher than in previous years.
During Diwali in 2024, Mumbai recorded 262 fire incidents, including 80 caused by firecrackers, leaving three people injured. In 2025, the city reported 289 fires, with 113 attributed to firecrackers. No casualties or injuries were recorded that year.
The disaster management authority warned that rockets and other aerial fireworks could land on rooftops, balconies, windows and combustible materials, potentially triggering fires. It also pointed out that densely populated neighbourhoods, high-rise buildings, slum clusters, narrow streets and closely situated residential and commercial structures increased the danger to people and property.
