The Supreme Court on Wednesday eased the rules for bursting and selling green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. According to the apex court, the new order takes a “balanced approach” between celebrating festivities and protecting the environment. However, the court has set certain restrictions and timings for bursting crackers. You must be aware of these rules before the designated dates, as ignoring them may lead to penalties or punishment.
A group of judges, including Chief Justice Bhushan R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, said the order is temporary. It is meant to see if allowing some controlled use of firecrackers can happen without harming efforts to reduce pollution. The court asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state boards to check air and water quality during this time and submit a report from October 14 to 21 on how fireworks affect Delhi’s air.
“We have to take a balanced approach, permitting it in moderation while not compromising with the environment,” said the CJI, noting that smuggled firecrackers cause far greater damage than the certified green ones.
The bench referred to its 2018 judgment in Arjun Gopal Vs Union of India. This was where the concept of green firecrackers was first introduced. The bench said those directions continue to hold the field. The court also noted that the Delhi government had banned all firecrackers on October 14, 2024, and later extended the ban to the entire NCR. It said this decision needs to be reviewed again, considering people’s sentiments and the practical difficulties in enforcing such a ban.
When can you burst green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR?
The Supreme Court on Wednesday permitted the sale and bursting of firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region between October 18 and 21. The bursting is restricted to specific timings: 6–7 AM and 8–10 PM.
From where can we buy crackers?
According to a temporary arrangement that the bench laid down, it held that firecrackers can be sold only from designated points of sale, and patrol teams must conduct regular checks on manufacturers. The QR codes of green crackers must be uploaded to official websites to ensure traceability. The bench laid a detailed framework on this.
No Crackers from Outside the NCR in Diwali
Additionally, the bench said that no crackers from outside the NCR shall be allowed into the region. The court further ordered that the licences of manufacturers found dealing in fake or non-compliant products will be suspended immediately.
The court pointed out that the Delhi government had banned all firecrackers on October 14, 2024, and later expanded the ban to the whole NCR. It said this decision should be looked at again because of public opinion and the difficulty of properly enforcing the ban.
