Supreme Court allows green crackers in Delhi-NCR for two days
The apex court permitted the use of approved green firecrackers on November 7 and 8 during specific time slots.
The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the bursting of approved green crackers in Delhi and neighbouring districts on November 7 and 8 for Diwali celebrations, according to reports by Kalinga TV, Business Standard and India TV.
A two-judge bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale ruled that crackers can only be burst between 6 am and 7 am, and from 8 pm to 10 pm on those two dates. The court directed that a complete ban on firecrackers would be reinstated from November 9.
The court noted that a total ban alone is not an effective way to stop pollution in the Delhi-NCR region and observed that firecrackers could not be entirely prevented in the capital despite bans. Under the order, bursting is prohibited within a 300-metre radius of schools, educational institutions, hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare centres, old-age homes and notified silence zones.
Manufacturers must hold valid certifications from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) or the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). The court prohibited the sale of firecrackers joined in series, known as 'ladis', and any products containing barium.
Product-specific QR codes are now mandatory for all green cracker sales to provide details such as manufacturer information and test certificates. The court also banned all online sales and restricted physical sales to locations identified by District Collectors or Commissioners.
Authorities have been instructed to check vehicles entering the region to prevent the entry of illegal firecrackers. Police will form patrolling teams to monitor designated sale sites and ensure only permitted products with QR codes are being sold.