India, Nov. 10 -- Kolkata recorded severe air pollution on Diwali night as firecrackers continued to be burst well beyond the Supreme Court's permitted 10 pm deadline.

Environmental group Sabuj Mancha reported widespread violations near and inside hospitals, with noise levels peaking at 96.4 decibels at BC Roy Children's Hospital.

PM2.5 concentrations reached 413 micrograms per cubic metre near Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratishthan, nearly seven times India's 24-hour standard.

Air quality deteriorated sharply after 10 pm, with Ballygunge's AQI rising from 100 to above 400 around midnight.

Activists alleged regulatory failures involving NEERI, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board and police, raising concerns over green firecracker ce...