This Diwali, Delhiites will once again see a sparkle in the sky — but one that’s a little greener and a lot more disciplined. The Supreme Court has eased its earlier blanket ban, allowing green firecrackers to be sold and burst in Delhi-NCR under strict timing and monitoring rules.
According to the new order, green crackers can be burst on October 19 and 20, but only during two-hour windows — from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and again from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Their sale will be permitted between October 18 and 20.
A Bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran termed this relaxation a “test case”, aiming to see whether festive celebrations and environmental protection can go hand in hand. The judges stressed that the goal was to find a balance between the joy of Diwali and the health of the environment.
The court observed that in previous years, a complete ban on firecrackers had backfired, leading to the illegal smuggling of traditional, more polluting varieties. Allowing certified eco-friendly crackers, the Bench said, would help reduce both pollution and black-market activity.
These green firecrackers, approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), are designed to emit up to 30% less pollutants and reduce noise levels compared to conventional fireworks.
The Supreme Court also directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards to closely monitor air and water quality from October 14 to 25, ensuring that pollution levels remain under control and that the relaxation is not misused.
While the verdict has brought cheer to many, the court cautioned that this is only a temporary allowance. If air quality deteriorates significantly, future relaxations might not return.
For now, Delhi’s Diwali will glow once again — but with a cleaner conscience and a greener sparkle.