NEW DELHI, Oct 25: The days following Diwali have once again brought a sharp decline in Delhi-NCR’s air quality, with hospitals reporting a noticeable surge in respiratory and pregnancy-related complications. Doctors across the region have attributed this spike to the combined effects of air and noise pollution caused by the widespread bursting of firecrackers, particularly during late-night hours. According to pulmonologists and gynaecologists, both outpatient and emergency cases saw a sharp rise between October 20 and 23, as pollution levels soared far beyond permissible limits. Delhi’s Air Quality Index remained in the “very poor” category in the period. The sudden exposure to smoke, toxic gases, and fine particulate matter has left the elderly, children, pregnant women, and

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