Supreme Court allows limited use of green crackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali

The top court said the relaxation would be a temporary measure, permitting only low-emission, NEERI-approved green crackers between October 18 and 21, and that too within restricted hours — from 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, while pronouncing the order, said the court was taking a “balanced approach” between environmental protection and the public’s festive sentiments.

“Since firecrackers are smuggled in from outside Delhi-NCR, they cause more damage than green firecrackers. We have to take a balanced approach, permitting it in moderation while not compromising with the environment,” the CJI observed.

The bench, which also included Justice Sandeep Mehta, directed that only offline sale of green crackers would be permitted through designated outlets, with each cracker required to carry a QR code for traceability.

Smuggled firecrackers prohibited

The court said any non-certified or smuggled firecrackers entering Delhi-NCR would be strictly prohibited, and manufacturers found selling fake green crackers would have their licences cancelled. Pollution control boards have been asked to monitor air quality and submit a detailed report on the Air Quality Index (AQI) during the festive period.

Green crackers — designed to emit 30% less particulate matter than conventional ones — were introduced following a 2018 Supreme Court order aimed at curbing post-Diwali pollution. Despite that, enforcement has remained a challenge, with residents often reporting unregulated fireworks and rampant sale of banned crackers brought in from other states.

Environmentalists have welcomed the strict monitoring mandate but cautioned that even green crackers release harmful ultrafine particles and gases. “Green does not mean clean,” one environmental expert told The Times of India, warning that weather conditions and stagnant air in late October could still trap pollutants in the region’s atmosphere.

Delhi’s air quality typically plunges to the “severe” or “hazardous” category after Diwali, worsened by crop residue burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will track the impact this year and submit its findings to the apex court.

Delhi CM thanks court

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta thanked the Supreme Court for what she called a “pragmatic” decision. “This ruling respects public sentiment and the excitement of festivals like Diwali while also upholding environmental responsibility. The Delhi government is committed to ensuring that our festivals remain radiant even as we protect our environment. Let’s together fulfill the pledge of Clean Delhi, Green Delhi,” she said in a statement.

The Supreme Court’s order offers limited relief to traders and manufacturers of eco-friendly fireworks but maintains tight controls to prevent misuse. The coming Diwali period — between October 18 and 21 — will now serve as a crucial test of whether Delhi can celebrate sustainably without pushing its already fragile air quality beyond recovery.