Supreme Court permits conditional use of new-gen green crackers for festivals

The Supreme Court has indicated approval for conditional relaxation on the use of next-generation joined green crackers, paving the way for their limited use during the upcoming festive celebrations. The Centre presented findings from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research's National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) establishing that these new firecrackers represent a distinct category from traditional variants.

According to the government's submission to the bench, the new-generation crackers differ fundamentally in their physical and chemical design. The research identified significant variations in shell and tube dimensions, explosive formulation, bursting duration, and frequency of detonation compared to conventional firecrackers. These structural and compositional differences translate into measurable environmental advantages.

The CSIR-NEERI report documented substantial reductions in noise generation, particulate matter emissions, and solid waste production from the redesigned crackers. These findings formed the basis of the government's case for permitting controlled use during the festive season, when firecracker consumption traditionally peaks across India.

The conditional nature of the court's approval suggests the bench has imposed specific parameters governing their manufacture, sale, and use. The decision attempts to balance public celebration traditions with environmental and public health concerns that have prompted increasing restrictions on conventional firecrackers in recent years.

The ruling is expected to provide clarity for manufacturers and consumers seeking lower-emission alternatives during the festive period, while maintaining regulatory oversight to prevent misuse or unchecked proliferation of the products.