Supreme Court allows green crackers in Delhi-NCR for two days before Diwali ban

The Supreme Court has permitted a narrow window for the use of environmentally-certified green crackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region during Diwali festivities, subject to strict conditions and temporal restrictions. The relaxation applies only to November 7 and 8, after which a comprehensive ban on all firecrackers will take effect from November 9 onwards.

The court's order stipulates that the use of green crackers during the permitted period must adhere to specified timings and location-based constraints as laid down by the bench. Green crackers, which produce significantly lower levels of harmful emissions and particulate matter compared to conventional firecrackers, represent the court's attempt to balance public celebration with environmental protection concerns.

The limited exemption follows longstanding judicial efforts to curb air pollution during the festive season in the Delhi-NCR region, which experiences severe air quality degradation during winter months. The Supreme Court has previously emphasized the public health implications of firecracker use, particularly regarding respiratory ailments and overall air quality deterioration.

Only crackers certified as meeting green firecracker standards will be permitted during the two-day window. Residents are advised to ensure compliance with the court's specific timing and location guidelines to avoid legal consequences. The full ban implemented from November 9 will remain in effect throughout the post-Diwali period as part of the court's ongoing air pollution mitigation strategy.