New Delhi: In a significant order ahead of the Diwali festival, the Supreme Court of India has partially relaxed the comprehensive ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). The Court has permitted the bursting of certified “green crackers” on the day before Diwali and on the day of Diwali, but has imposed stringent conditions, including specific time windows and designated locations for their use.
The decision modifies the blanket ban that has been in effect in the region to combat hazardous levels of air pollution during the winter festive season.
The Court’s Directions
According to the ruling, the following conditions will apply for the use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for this year’s Diwali celebrations:
- Type of Firecrackers: Only “green crackers,” which are certified to have lower emissions and meet specified chemical formulations, are permitted. The ban on all other types of conventional firecrackers remains in full effect.
- Permitted Dates: The relaxation is applicable for two days: the day immediately preceding Diwali and the main day of the Diwali festival.
- Strict Timings: The bursting of green crackers is restricted to two specific time slots totaling three hours per day. The permitted windows are:
- From 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the morning.
- From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM in the evening.
- Designated Locations: The Court has mandated that the firecrackers can only be burst in “designated places.” This indicates that local authorities will be responsible for identifying and notifying specific open areas or grounds where community bursting can take place under supervision.
This order attempts to balance the celebration of the festival with pressing environmental concerns. The enforcement of these strict conditions—ensuring only certified green crackers are used and that bursting is confined to the stipulated times and places—will now be the key focus for administrative and law enforcement agencies across the Delhi-NCR. The absolute ban on firecrackers outside of these specified terms remains operative.
