Supreme Court permits green crackers in Delhi-NCR for two days

The Supreme Court allowed approved green crackers in Delhi-NCR during specified hours on November 7 and 8. The temporary relaxation seeks to curb illegal sales while generating evidence on pollution and public-health impacts.

In Short

• Authorities must display sale schedules and permitted bursting timings at shops
• Police and district administrations will patrol designated green-cracker sale locations
• Illegal conventional crackers must be seized and offending traders prosecuted

The Supreme Court has said a complete ban on firecrackers is facilitating illegal sales while preventing people from buying approved green crackers tested at recognised facilities, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

The court allowed green firecrackers to be burst in Delhi-National Capital Region from 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm on November 7 and 8. However, it said the complete ban imposed earlier would return from November 9.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale said the failure to implement and follow its earlier directions had become a “recurring problem”.

“Hence, this court is inclined to regulate the manufacture, storage, sale and bursting of green firecrackers, instead of maintaining the complete ban on the same, for a temporary period, in view of the aforesaid discussion,” the bench said in its October 29 order.

According to PTI, the bench said it had not been given adequate data to determine whether the complete ban imposed in Delhi-NCR in 2024 had served its purpose, particularly as there had been no significant improvement in air quality index readings.

The court said it had relaxed the complete ban on October 15, 2025, after considering the harmful effects of illegal firecrackers entering the Indian market and the need to balance competing interests.

It said the temporary relaxation was also intended to help the states accurately assess the effects of green firecrackers on the environment and public health. The states were expected to place their findings before the court to help it take a decision.

“Unfortunately, we find that the State has utterly failed in complying with the directions thereunder,” the bench said. “Thereafter, the situation has not improved even after resumption of the complete ban on firecrackers.”

The bench said a note submitted by an advocate assisting the court showed that air pollution levels rose significantly on Dussehra and the following day this year despite the complete ban.

The court said it was “worrisome” that conventional firecrackers had been sold, and continued to be sold, as green crackers even after the ban resumed.

“This clearly indicates that the complete ban is not only facilitating the illegal sale of firecrackers but also preventing people from purchasing legitimate green crackers and next-generation joined green crackers, which have been tested at established facilities,” it said.

The bench said efforts made so far had not improved the situation. “Despite the clear directions issued by this court time and again, neither was there effective implementation to the satisfaction of this court nor were any of the relevant materials/documents placed to our satisfaction,” it said.

The Supreme Court has issued several directions since 2018 to regulate the bursting of firecrackers, particularly in and around Delhi-NCR. “Regardless of the directions passed by this court to regulate the upcoming situation, the endeavour is to bring about a holistic change for which the public perception has to change,” it said.

The bench said authorities must act in advance to prevent problems rather than respond after they occur. It also appealed to members of the legal profession, prominent personalities, celebrities and sportspersons to support a voluntary public-awareness campaign.

“While parting, we wish to make a sincere plea regarding the feasibility of raising awareness by the members of the Bar, prominent personalities, including celebrities and sports persons, to lend their voice and influence through a voluntary public-awareness campaign,” it said.

The bench said such participation could encourage people to celebrate festivals safely and responsibly without harming public health or worsening the already poor air quality.

The court directed authorities to display banners at designated locations, including shops, informing people about the dates on which green crackers could be sold and the dates and timings when they could be burst. It warned that officials responsible for failing to follow the directions could face strict contempt action.

People must also be informed how and where they can complain against manufacturers or traders violating the court's directions and regulations, the bench said. Police, in coordination with district administrations in Delhi-NCR, must form patrol teams to monitor designated green-cracker sale locations.

The court directed that illegal or conventional firecrackers be seized immediately and that manufacturers or traders responsible for violations be prosecuted. It also called for all possible efforts to effectively monitor air quality levels.

“Appropriate measures will have to be taken after the festival is over. This will include the clearing of all solid waste, as well as its management and disposal. Further, the most polluted areas shall be cleansed using water sprinklers, amongst any other measures that may possibly be undertaken,” the bench said.

The court also directed the State to ask the departments concerned to notify and publicise its directions and the proposed compliance measures. The temporary relaxation, therefore, allows approved green crackers during specified hours on November 7 and 8, with the complete ban set to resume on November 9.

- Ends