Air quality in Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad dipped to ‘very poor’ levels, with the AQI surpassing 300 in all three cities. A senior pollution board official attributed the decline to stubble burning in Pakistan. Meteorological conditions worsened the situation, leading to severe air quality predictions around Diwali.

Diwali festivities span across five days starting with Dhanteras. Chhoti Diwali is celebrated a day before Diwali. This year it will be celebrated on October 30.

Despite some political parties calling for caste census, News18 has learnt that at this moment, the government has no plans to allow the same