Supreme Court permits green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali
The court allowed the use of certified green crackers for two days before restoring a complete ban on November 9.
The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the manufacture, sale, and use of certified green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for two days during the Diwali festival, according to reports by Live Law and Scroll.
A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale ruled that bursting is allowed between 6 am and 8 pm on November 7, and between 7 am and 10 pm on November 8. The court directed that a total ban on firecrackers must be reinstated starting November 9.
The bench specified that only green firecrackers approved by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) can be sold. These crackers are designed to be less polluting as they lack substances such as arsenic, barium, lead, and lithium.
Authorities must ensure no fireworks are burst within 300 metres of silence zones, old-age homes, hospitals, nursing homes, or health centres. The court also prohibited the sale of firecracker garlands or those joined in series, known as 'ladis'.
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood welcomed the decision, stating the government aims to protect the environment while allowing celebrations to continue. He urged citizens to celebrate responsibly in line with the court's ruling.
The Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Boards have been asked to monitor air quality and submit reports covering the pre-Diwali, Diwali, and post-Diwali periods.