Delhi limits firecracker bursting to set hours ahead of Diwali

Delhi authorities have appealed to citizens to follow prescribed regulations on firecracker use during the upcoming Diwali festival, with the district magistrate issuing orders that restrict bursting to specific hours on November 7 and 8. According to the directive, green firecrackers may be burst only between 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm on these dates, with any use outside these windows strictly prohibited.

The order, issued following an administrative meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, emphasises compliance with Supreme Court guidelines on the sale and use of certified green firecrackers across the Delhi-NCR region. Authorities have implemented a blanket ban on firecracker use within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, health centres, old-age homes, educational institutions and other designated silence zones.

To ensure product safety and authenticity, only firecrackers certified by CSIR-NEERI and listed on its official website will be permitted for sale. All packaging must be properly sealed and include valid product and batch-specific QR codes, enabling consumers to verify compliance with environmental standards.

The directive represents renewed efforts by Delhi's administration to balance Diwali celebrations with environmental protection and public health concerns. Previous years have witnessed severe air quality deterioration following firecracker use, prompting authorities to enforce stricter controls through coordinated enforcement across the NCR.