Comparative infographic showing Bengaluru’s Air Quality Index (AQI) during the three days of Deepavali in 2025 and 2026, highlighting a sharp rise in pollution levels this year, with the peak AQI climbing to 141 from 98 last year — a nearly 44% increase.
Central Silk Board junction (AQI of 187), Hebbal (184), Hombegowda Nagar (175) and Jayanagar (148) emerged as pollution hotspots. Forest, environment and ecology minister Ramalinga Reddy said Bengaluru saw a 20% increase in firecracker sales this year compared to previous years. Usually, vendors report 35% of their inventory as unsold. This year, it dropped to 8%.
Due to the cyclone and other climatic conditions, not many showed interest in firecrackers in 2026.
“Due to dry weather this year, everybody decided to light crackers, resulting in increased pollution,” the minister explained. TOI’s report on Bengaluru’s air pollution levels during the first day of Deepavali celebrations. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru
On Monday, the AQI touched 135, marking the second-highest reading of the festive period until then. The following day, it climbed to 141. The peak reading of 141 was recorded at 3 pm and again at 6 pm on Nov 10. The data is an average of readings from 14 ambient air quality monitoring stations set up across Bengaluru.
Interestingly, the pollution burden over the city showed no signs of easing over the next two days of the celebrations. Zone-wise readings show alarmingly high pollution levels.