New Delhi: In a calibrated relaxation of its year-round restrictions on firecrackers, the Supreme Court has permitted the sale and bursting of certified green crackers across Delhi-NCR for two days, November 7 and 8, ahead of Diwali. The permission, however, comes with strict conditions on timings, locations and enforcement, with the complete ban set to return from November 9.
The order, passed on October 29 by a Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale in the Arjun Gopal v. Union of India matter, seeks to balance festival celebrations and the livelihoods associated with the fireworks trade against the urgent need to protect public health and control air pollution.
Under the directions, green firecrackers may be burst only during two designated windows: 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm on November 7 and 8. No bursting of firecrackers will be permitted outside these hours.
The Court has also mandated 300-metre no-cracker zones around hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes, educational institutions and notified silence zones. Authorities have been directed to identify and mark these areas to ensure compliance and minimise inconvenience to vulnerable groups.
The relaxation is restricted to certified green firecrackers, including Next-Generation Joined Green Crackers, which have undergone testing at recognised facilities. Conventional firecrackers cannot be sold or used under the cover of green-cracker certification.
The Court has emphasised the need to prevent the circulation of illegal and conventional fireworks. Authorities have been directed to inspect vehicles entering Delhi-NCR and take appropriate action against the transportation of prohibited firecrackers.
Shopkeepers and traders must prominently display the Court's directions and inform buyers about how to identify CSIR-NEERI-approved green crackers, verify sealed packaging and check product QR codes. They must also display information about permitted sale and bursting dates, timings and the procedure for reporting violations.
The Supreme Court has directed police and district administrations across Delhi-NCR to constitute dedicated patrolling teams to monitor designated sale locations. These teams will conduct regular inspections, verify QR codes and immediately confiscate illegal or conventional firecrackers. Prosecution will be initiated against manufacturers and traders found violating the directions.
The Central Pollution Control Board, in consultation with State Pollution Control Boards and their regional offices, has also been tasked with monitoring air quality across the NCR and submitting compliance reports.
BI Bureau
