Supreme Court allows green cracker use in Delhi-NCR for two days
The court has permitted the sale of certified green crackers from November 4 to 6, with usage restricted to specific hours.
The Supreme Court has permitted the sale and use of approved green crackers in Delhi-NCR for a limited period during Diwali, according to Urban Acres. The court ruled that sales are allowed from November 4 to 6, while the use of fireworks is restricted to three-hour windows on November 7 and 8.
The permitted hours for fireworks are 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm on November 7 and 8. This permission applies only to green crackers and excludes traditional fireworks, cracker garlands, or products containing barium.
A bench of Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Prasanna B. Varale stated that only products approved by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) may be marketed.
Sellers and manufacturers must hold valid certification, and all green cracker packages must be completely sealed.
The court directed that sales occur only at locations identified by the administration, noting that online platforms are prohibited from selling these products. District administrations and police must identify permitted sale points and monitor them using patrol teams.
A 300-metre buffer zone has been established around hospitals, nursing homes, old-age homes, schools, and notified silent zones, where fireworks are not permitted. Authorities must seize illegal or traditional crackers and take legal action against violators.
The limited permission ends after November 8, and a complete ban on firecrackers will resume on November 9. NCR states must submit affidavits by December 14 regarding any increase in hospital admissions following the festival.