As many as 13 people lost their lives and four others sustained injuries after a massive fire broke out and triggered an explosion at a firecracker godown in the Deesa area of Gujarat's Banaskantha district on Tuesday.

The Delhi government has banned all firecrackers until January 1, 2025, due to rising pollution levels. This ban, issued by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, follows a drop in air quality after Dusshera festivities.

AAP workers burst firecrackers and danced outside the residence of Arvind Kejriwal to celebrate his homecoming, which apparently didn't go down well with the netizens. Internet was quick to call out the hypocrisy and slam the party workers for violating own firecrackers ban imposed in national capital.

The Supreme Court's November 7 order explicitly banning firecrackers containing barium was reiterated, emphasizing its applicability to every state and not limited solely to the Delhi-NCR region, currently grappling with severe air pollution.

Stating that two members from the family which owned the illegal factory, have been arrested, Banerjee urged the villagers to keep the local police informed in case they find any other illegal fireworks units operational.

Notwithstanding the ban, people burst firecrackers with impunity in various areas, starting around 6 pm. In south Delhi's East of Kailash, and neighbouring places like Nehru Place and Moolchand, firecrackers going off mid-air could be heard in the evening.

On Wednesday, Delhi Environment Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai addressed a press conference and said that the Delhi government has banned the production, storage, sale, and bursting of crackers this year as well with fine of Rs 5,000 and/ or imprisonment for three years in case of violation.

The ban on firecrackers will remain in force during Diwali, New Year's Eve and several other festivals this year. Every year, the capital experiences  a deteriorated air quality during the festive season.

"An action plan will be developed in collaboration with the Delhi Police, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, and the Revenue Department to ensure that the ban is strictly enforced," Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai tweeted.

The bench found that certified green crackers can be marketed and burst in locations with "good" or "moderate" air quality.