New Delhi: India’s Supreme Court has permitted the limited use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region during Diwali, even as air quality in the region continues to deteriorate. The decision, announced on Tuesday, aims to strike a balance between preserving cultural traditions and protecting public health.
According to the court’s order, only eco-friendly firecrackers certified by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR NEERI) can be sold and used between October 18 and 21. These crackers are said to emit 20 to 30 percent fewer pollutants compared to conventional fireworks. Each approved product will carry a unique QR code for verification, and sales will be restricted to licensed vendors at designated locations.
The Supreme Court has also imposed strict time limits for bursting crackers from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM and again from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Fireworks brought in from outside the Delhi NCR region will not be allowed for sale, and any violation of these guidelines could lead to cancellation of licenses and confiscation of stock.
The decision comes at a time when Delhi’s air quality index has already dipped into the poor category, prompting authorities to activate Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This plan includes curbs on construction activity, restrictions on waste burning, and tighter checks on vehicle emissions.
Environmental experts, however, remain skeptical about the real impact of green crackers. Studies conducted by institutions such as IIT Roorkee and Delhi Technological University suggest that even these supposedly cleaner versions still emit harmful fine particles. Some experts have also pointed out that verifying the authenticity of green crackers in a crowded market could prove challenging.
Despite these concerns, the top court’s order is being viewed as an experimental compromise. The Delhi government has begun coordinating with authorized retailers to ensure compliance, while pollution control bodies will monitor the city’s air closely during the festive period.
Officials have also floated additional measures such as artificial rain or cloud seeding to help reduce pollution levels if conditions worsen. Meanwhile, the central government is reportedly drafting a long term Beijing style clean air plan aimed at transforming Delhi into a low emission zone over the next five years.
For now, all eyes are on how the city’s air responds during Diwali week, a test that could determine whether this cautious relaxation becomes a precedent or a one time experiment.