In the aftermath of Diwali, New Delhi's air quality plummeted into the severe category due to firecracker emissions and ongoing pollution from industrial and vehicular sources. Many residents still defy firecracker bans, while local authorities face mounting challenges combating chronic air pollution. A significant factory town, Farukh Nagar, once a hub for firework production, now stands empty as regulations have forced many manufacturers out of business. Additionally, regional cooperation is being urged between India and Pakistan to address this transboundary pollution crisis, as combined pollution levels increasingly threaten public health.