Supreme Court allows sale, lighting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali

The Supreme Court on Wednesday permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the adjoining areas that form the National Capital Region, subject to conditions, The Hindu reported.

A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran allowed sales between October 18 and 21. It also restricted such sales to designated locations and limited the use of these firecrackers between 6 am-7 am and 8 pm-10 pm.

This year Diwali will be celebrated on October 20.

The court further directed the Central Pollution Control Board and the state pollution boards to monitor the air and water quality, and submit a report for the period between October 14 and October 21 on the impact of fireworks, the Hindustan Times reported.

It said that a total ban had proved counterproductive, leading to the smuggling of conventional firecrackers that caused far greater harm to air quality.

“Conventional firecrackers are smuggled, which causes more damage,” the Hindustan Times quoted the bench as saying. “We have to take a balanced approach.”

As a temporary arrangement, firecrackers can only be sold at designated points. Manufacturers will also face regular inspections and the QR codes of green crackers must be uploaded on official websites for traceability.

Sale of firecrackers through e-commerce platforms remains strictly prohibited.

Crackers from outside the National Capital Region will not be allowed...

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