NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the bursting of green crackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for Diwali between October 18 and 21. According to the top court’s order, firecrackers will be permitted from 6 am to 8 am and again from 8 pm to 10 pm. The sale of green crackers will also be allowed only at designated sites between 15 and 25 October.
The top court warned that crackers smuggled into Delhi-NCR cause more damage than green firecrackers and emphasised the need for a balanced approach, permitting celebrations in moderation without compromising the environment. A bench of CJI B R Gavai and K Vinod Chandran said only NEERI-approved green crackers will be sold, and police would conduct surprise checks to ensure no manufacturer violates the green norm for crackers.
SC said the apex court should not have imposed a complete ban on the bursting of green crackers without any empirical data about green crackers contributing adversely to the AQI. To enforce these rules, the top court said patrol teams will regularly check cracker manufacturers and that QR codes on green crackers must be uploaded on official sites to ensure authenticity.
Additionally, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state pollution control boards (PCBs) of NCR will monitor air quality from 18 October. The SC has also asked them to submit reports on pollution levels after Diwali.
The apex court also stated that no crackers from outside Delhi-NCR can be sold in the city, and licences of sellers found violating this will be suspended. Green firecrackers are designed to emit 20–30% less particulate matter than conventional ones.
But experts caution that they still release harmful pollutants and are difficult to regulate effectively. However, a 2022 Delhi Technological University study found that even green crackers release high concentrations of ultrafine particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs.
