Supreme Court Allows Limited Use of Green Firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted temporary permission for the use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during the Diwali festival, strictly between October 18 and 21. Firecrackers will be allowed only from 6 AM to 7 AM and from 8 PM to 10 PM during this period.

Announcing the order, Chief Justice B.R. Gavai referred to the earlier directive issued on October 14, 2024, in which the Delhi government imposed a complete ban on firecrackers, which was later extended across the entire NCR.

Chief Justice Gavai emphasized the need for a balanced approach, stating, “We must allow limited use without compromising the environment.” Stressing environmental concerns, the Court permitted only the restricted use of green firecrackers, which are considered less polluting.

The Court also directed police authorities to form patrol teams to ensure that only approved firecrackers with QR codes are sold. Additionally, firecrackers brought in from outside the Delhi-NCR region will not be allowed.

In a further directive, the Supreme Court ordered the suspension of licenses of vendors found selling fake or unauthorized firecrackers.