New Delhi: In a significant ruling ahead of the festive season, the Supreme Court of India today relaxed the stringent firecracker ban in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), permitting the sale and bursting of only green firecrackers for Diwali.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandra allowed the restricted use, stating that the court must adopt a “balanced approach” between the public’s right to celebrate and the urgent need to protect the environment from pollution.
“We have to take a balanced approach, permitting bursting of green firecrackers in moderation while not compromising with the environment,” the bench observed.
Key SC Directives: Dates and Timings
The apex court order is highly specific, outlining strict dates and timings for the use of firecrackers:
Strict Enforcement Measures Imposed
The ruling emphasized that this relaxation is a temporary measure designed to curb the rampant smuggling of conventional, highly polluting firecrackers, which the court noted cause more damage than the approved green variants. To ensure compliance, the Supreme Court mandated the following:
- QR Code Mandate: Only permitted firecracker products that possess a verifiable QR code are allowed for sale.
- No Outside Supply: There shall be no firecrackers allowed in the Delhi-NCR region from outside, with a focus on stopping cross-border smuggling.
- Police Patrolling: Police authorities have been ordered to constitute a dedicated patrolling team to monitor and enforce the sale of only approved, QR-coded products.
- License Suspension: Any vendor found selling fake or non-compliant firecrackers will face immediate suspension of their operating license.
Monitoring Air Quality Impact
Taking a proactive approach to environmental monitoring, the Supreme Court has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and various state pollution control boards to diligently monitor air and water quality.
These bodies are required to submit a comprehensive report detailing the impact of the allowed fireworks on Delhi’s air quality, covering the period from October 14 to October 21.
The court’s decision comes in a case relating to air pollution in the national capital region, prompting the re-examination of a prior 2024 Delhi government order that had imposed a blanket ban on all firecrackers, an approach the bench deemed necessary to review in light of public sentiment and enforcement realities.
