India's National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday imposed a ban on bursting of firecrackers in the wake of rising air pollution levels, particularly in Delhi and its surrounding areas.

The NGT's order will come into force with effect from Monday midnight, and continue till the month ends. It would be strictly implemented in those areas which are already facing severe air pollution levels.

It assumes significance as it came just five days before the festival of lights - Diwali, when people across the country indulge in bursting of firecrackers.

On Monday evening the air quality index in Delhi, in terms of PM2.5 particulate matter, was 534 which falls in the "severe" category, as per the data released by the mobile application of the federal government's "System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR)".

Over the past couple of years, in the wake of rising pollution levels restrictions have been imposed by courts, and different state governments, over bursting of fire-crackers.

According to media reports, the NGT's ban order came on a petition raising the issue of air pollution in Delhi which has already reached "severe" category.

There are at least ten Indian states and areas where some form of ban, or restrictions, on the bursting of crackers on Diwali would be in place.