Supreme Court Considers Lifting Ban on Firecrackers in Delhi-NCR

In a significant development ahead of the Diwali festival, the Supreme Court of India indicated that it may temporarily lift the absolute ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for five days. The move marks a potential shift in the Court’s stance on the issue, which has been at the center of debates over environmental protection, public health, and cultural practices.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran reserved its order on Friday, stating that it will decide soon on relaxing the restrictions that have been in place for several years due to concerns over air pollution.

Background: The Ban and Its Implications

The ban on the use and sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR has been a recurring measure during Diwali, primarily due to the severe air quality deterioration that occurs around this period. The situation is often exacerbated by stubble burning in neighboring states such as Punjab and Haryana, as well as stagnant weather conditions that trap pollutants in the region’s atmosphere.

The Supreme Court’s intervention came following submissions by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, who urged the bench to relax restrictions for Diwali celebrations. He argued that “children should not be deprived of the joy of celebrating Diwali,” suggesting that limited use of fireworks could be allowed under controlled conditions.

What the Supreme Court Said

The Court observed that it may lift the ban on a trial basis for five days, subject to strict time limits and enforcement measures. “We will confine it to certain time limits,” the bench said.

The government proposed the following time windows for the use of firecrackers:

  • 8 PM to 10 PM on Diwali and other major festivals

  • 11:55 PM to 12:30 AM on New Year’s Eve

  • One-hour slots in the morning and evening for Gurpurab celebrations

The government also proposed allowing fireworks for weddings and personal events, provided they meet regulatory standards.

Green Firecrackers: A Conditional Alternative

The Court’s inclination toward allowing firecrackers is linked to the introduction of “green crackers” — eco-friendly fireworks developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI).

Green crackers are designed to reduce emissions by 30-40% compared to conventional fireworks. They are made by modifying the chemical composition to eliminate harmful substances like barium nitrate, arsenic, and lead, and by using additives that suppress dust and particulate release.

CSIR-NEERI developed three variants of green crackers in 2018:

  • SWAS (Safe Water Releaser)

  • STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker)

  • SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium)

These products are identifiable through a green CSIR-NEERI logo and encrypted QR codes on the packaging, allowing traceability to certified manufacturers.

However, enforcement and verification remain major challenges. Fake green crackers with cloned QR codes have flooded the market, undermining the authenticity of eco-friendly options.

Environmentalists Express Concern

Environmental experts and activists have expressed strong reservations about the Court’s possible relaxation of the ban. They argue that even green firecrackers are not pollution-free, and their use could further worsen Delhi’s already toxic air during winter.

Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts, warned that “bursting green firecrackers could set back by ten years the fight against air pollution in Delhi.”

A 2022 study by Delhi Technological University also found that green crackers emit ultra-fine particles that can be more harmful than PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants.

Activist Bhavreen Kandhari said that a 30% reduction in emissions is statistically insignificant in Delhi’s context, where PM2.5 levels during Diwali can spike up to 1,500% above WHO limits. She compared the logic to “defending low-tar cigarettes as safer,” calling the move misleading in a city already battling extreme pollution.

Chetan Sharma, General Secretary of the Confederation of RWAs, also cautioned that “allowing even so-called green crackers so close to winter, when air quality is at its worst, is reckless.”

Regulatory Oversight and Implementation Challenges

Despite the scientific promise of green firecrackers, the infrastructure for manufacturing, certification, and testing remains underdeveloped. Delhi currently lacks adequate facilities to verify whether the products being sold are genuinely green.

Under the Centre’s plan, only companies certified by CSIR-NEERI and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) can manufacture green crackers. Licensed vendors are permitted to sell these products, with each batch linked to a traceable QR code.

However, without adequate ground-level monitoring, fake or duplicate products continue to circulate widely, rendering the regulatory mechanism ineffective.

Broader Context: Pollution and Public Health

Air quality in Delhi-NCR deteriorates sharply every winter due to a combination of factors — stubble burning, construction dust, industrial emissions, and vehicular pollution.

During Diwali, the addition of fireworks leads to a temporary but severe spike in Air Quality Index (AQI), often pushing the city into the ‘severe’ category.

Experts argue that the focus should be on source control, targeting not only festive emissions but also long-term contributors such as transport, industry, and waste burning.

Conclusion: Balancing Celebration with Sustainability

As the Supreme Court prepares to issue its order, the debate continues between environmental sustainability and cultural tradition. The introduction of green firecrackers reflects an effort to strike a balance, but experts warn that without strict enforcement, the benefits may remain largely theoretical.

While the Court’s trial relaxation may bring temporary cheer to Diwali celebrations, the larger question persists — can India celebrate responsibly without compromising public health?

The forthcoming verdict will test whether policy and innovation can coexist with festive freedom, setting a precedent for future environmental governance.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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