SC Allows Sale Of Green Firecrackers For Diwali In NCR

The court clarified that the use of green crackers would be permitted only during specified hours on the day before Diwali and on the festival day itself. Sales will be allowed from October 18 to 20, coinciding with the Diwali celebrations.

The Bench of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran emphasised that this relaxation was a “test case” measure, valid only for the specified period. The court accepted the joint request of the Centre, the Delhi government, and green cracker manufacturers seeking relaxation of the complete ban imposed in 2024.

The order noted that while bursting firecrackers reflects the festive spirit, it cannot come at the cost of health and the environment. The CJI, in a 21-page order, wrote that commercial considerations and traditions must take a back seat when environmental and health concerns are involved.

The court directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), along with state boards, to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) from October 14 to 25 and submit daily reports. Regional offices will also collect sand and water samples from areas with heavy cracker use for analysis.

Following the approach taken in the 2018 Arjun Gopal case, the court reiterated that only green crackers listed on NEERI’s website can be sold, from October 18 to 20. Their use will be confined to 6 am-7 am and 8 pm–10 pm on the two permitted days.

Sales will be allowed only at designated NCR locations, identified by district collectors in consultation with police authorities. Patrolling teams, including officers from pollution control boards, will monitor compliance, verify QR codes on green cracker packs, and collect random samples for testing.

The court ordered that only licensed traders registered with NEERI and PESO can sell crackers. Products found to be unregistered or non-compliant will be confiscated, and violators’ licences cancelled. Crackers containing barium or joined in series (laris) remain strictly prohibited, and e-commerce platforms are barred from selling crackers online.

NEERI’s green cracker formulations reportedly cut particulate emissions by 30-80 per cent through additives like zeolite and boron compounds that reduce dust and improve combustion. Harmful barium-based chemicals have been replaced with safer elements such as strontium and potassium.

The court also observed that earlier bans had not led to major improvements in AQI, except during the Covid-19 lockdown when industrial and vehicular activity was minimal.

The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on October 10 on pleas seeking permission to manufacture and sell green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR.