The Supreme Court has relaxed the complete ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region for the upcoming Diwali, allowing the sale and use of certified green crackers within specific limits. A bench led by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran permitted the use of eco-friendly firecrackers approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and emphasized that this relaxation is temporary and will apply on a test-case basis.
The Court reiterated that joint firecrackers, commonly known as “laris,” and e-commerce sales of firecrackers will remain prohibited. Only licensed sellers at designated spots approved by the district administration will be allowed to sell green crackers. Authorities have also been directed to ensure strict monitoring through police patrols to prevent the use of banned products.
The use of green crackers has been restricted to specific hours — between 6 AM and 7 AM, and again from 8 PM to 10 PM on Diwali and the day before. The Court further clarified that firecrackers brought from outside the NCR will not be allowed and that any non-compliant products must be immediately seized. The decision aims to strike a balance between the festive spirit and environmental protection, keeping in view public health concerns linked to pollution during the festival season.