The Delhi government is preparing to move the Supreme Court to allow the bursting of “green crackers” during Diwali this year. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the festival as “the most significant in Indian culture” and said the state intends to balance tradition with environmental concerns.
Diwali, the festival of lights, falls on October 21 this year. The capital has struggled with severe air pollution during this period, prompting the Supreme Court in previous years to impose a blanket ban on firecrackers in the National Capital Region. The ban has been contentious, as many consider firecrackers an integral part of Diwali celebrations.
To address pollution concerns while preserving festive customs, the Delhi government plans to seek permission for the controlled use of eco-friendly “green crackers”.
Green crackers are a new generation of eco-friendly fireworks developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). Unlike traditional fireworks, they do not use harmful chemicals such as barium, lead, or cadmium. Instead, they incorporate additives that suppress dust and release water vapour, significantly reducing air and noise pollution.
According to CSIR-NEERI’s research, these crackers emit fewer toxic substances and lower levels of particulate matter. While they are not completely pollution-free, they are considered a far safer alternative to conventional firecrackers.
Green crackers come in three main categories:
- SWAS (Safe Water Releaser): Releases water vapour during bursting, which acts as a dust suppressant and dilutes gaseous emissions, cutting down particulate pollution.
- STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker): Uses less harmful chemical compositions to reduce both noise and particulate emissions.
- SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium): Replaces most of the aluminium typically used with magnesium, resulting in lower sound levels and reduced air pollution.
Delhi’s air quality typically dips to “very poor” or “severe” levels in late October, worsened by post-harvest stubble burning, weather conditions, and fireworks. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised the right to clean air and has imposed strict curbs on firecracker sales and use.
The Delhi government’s petition is expected to argue that green crackers offer a middle ground—allowing celebrations while curbing pollution. The Supreme Court’s decision on this plea will determine how the city celebrates Diwali this year.
