Supreme Court permits green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali with strict time limits and rules

In a rare case of consideration for Hindus, the Supreme Court on 15 October permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for Diwali, marking a temporary relaxation of the year-long ban imposed in April 2025 to combat air pollution. The order, passed by a bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran in the MC Mehta case, restricts bursting to 6-7 am and 8-10 pm on the eve and Diwali day (20 October), with sales allowed only from 18-21 October at designated spots. 

Traditional firecrackers remain banned, and the court emphasised enforcement against smuggling, citing no significant AQI difference from 2018 when green crackers were first allowed. The decision balances public health with cultural traditions, but critics like Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra slammed it, urging no complaints about air quality post-Diwali.

Supreme Court order details

The bench, hearing pleas from manufacturers and the Centre, adopted its 2018 Arjun Gopal framework, allowing only NEERI and PESO-certified green crackers—reducing emissions by 30%—sold offline via licensed traders. Bursting is confined to two hours in the evening and one hour in the morning on 19-20 October, with no e-commerce sales or barium-based crackers permitted. The court directed CPCB and state boards to monitor AQI from 14 October, with violations leading to licence revocation. It noted smuggling persists despite bans, justifying the controlled relaxation: "A complete ban is neither practical nor ideal." 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta hailed it as a "balanced approach," while amicus Uttara Babbar cited similar AQI levels pre- and post-2018, excluding COVID dips. 

Background

The April 2025 blanket ban followed DPCC's year-round prohibition, extended to NCR amid Diwali spikes pushing AQI to "severe" (over 400). Manufacturers challenged it, arguing green crackers—introduced in 2018—cut pollution by 30-40% and support 5 lakh jobs in Sivakasi.

The court reserved orders on 10 October, hinting at Diwali allowance within limits. Past rulings banned barium and online sales, but enforcement faltered, with 2024 seizures of smuggled crackers. 

Mahua Moitra's sharp reaction

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra lambasted the order on X: "Let's not waste time moaning about air quality—your govt did what you voted for: crackers back." She mocked Delhi voters' "hypocrisy," implying the BJP's pollution stance was election rhetoric. The post, viewed 200,000 times, sparked debates, with supporters slamming her "cynical" tone and critics like BJP's Manoj Tiwari retorting: "Moitra's Delhi ignorance—green crackers save lungs." 

Environmentalists echoed concerns, which they typically do only during Hindu festivals, fearing AQI spikes to 500+ on Diwali. 'Experts' like Anumita Roychowdhury from CSE warned: "Green or not, crackers add 20-30% to Diwali pollution—monitor strictly."

Delhi Environment Minister Parvesh Verma welcomed it as "festive relief," slamming AAP's past bans as "anti-Hindu." AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj cautioned enforcement, noting 2024 smuggling. 

Manufacturers in Sivakasi celebrated, projecting Rs 500 crore sales. 

Pollution control

The order tests enforcement: Designated sale spots, QR codes for verification, and CPCB monitoring aim to curb violations. With stubble burning looming, AQI forecasts predict "very poor" (300-400) on Diwali. It balances rights—festivals vs health—but smuggling risks persist, as in 2024, seizures of 10,000 kg.