Supreme Court allows green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8
The court set specific time slots for bursting approved crackers and ordered authorities to prevent the sale of polluting fireworks.
The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the bursting of approved green firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region on November 7 and 8. According to reports from Times of India and Mint, the court established two specific time windows for this activity: between 6 am and 7 am, and between 8 pm and 10 pm.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale stated that while Deepawali holds religious and social significance, the right to engage in such practices is subject to constitutional restrictions regarding public health and the environment. The bench noted that the court currently lacks sufficient data to decide if a total ban is the best solution for environmental pollution.
The court directed district collectors and commissioners to work with police to identify specific locations for selling green crackers. The sale of fireworks in any other area, including through online platforms, is prohibited. Authorities must also check vehicles entering the region to stop the movement of illegal or conventional crackers.
Manufacturers must hold valid certifications from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). The court banned the manufacture and use of firecrackers containing barium or those joined in series, such as garlands or 'ladis'.
To ensure compliance, the bench ordered manufacturers and traders to provide a monetary security deposit, which will be forfeited if they violate court directions. Traders must sell only approved green crackers that feature product-specific QR codes for verification. The restriction on the manufacture and sale of firecrackers in the national capital will continue after the Diwali period.