The court added that any firecrackers not made by registered manufacturers will be seized immediately.
The Supreme Court has allowed the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali celebrations. A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai announced on Wednesday, accepting the request from the Center and the Delhi government to partially relax the previous ban. However, the court has also imposed several strict conditions to control pollution levels during the festival.
According to the latest Supreme Court order, people can burst only green firecrackers this Diwali. The relaxation is limited to a specific time frame, and local authorities will ensure strict compliance.
The court said, “District administration and police will make sure that firecrackers are used only a day before Diwali and on Diwali day — between 6 AM to 7 AM and 8 PM to 10 PM.”
The court added that any firecrackers not made by registered manufacturers will be seized immediately.
The Supreme Court made it clear that no firecrackers can be brought into Delhi-NCR from outside the region. Only green firecrackers approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) will be allowed.
The order also bans the online sale and purchase of firecrackers through e-commerce platforms. Sellers and buyers found violating this rule may face strict action.
Even after the relaxation, the sale of crackers will remain limited to specific authorized locations. The Supreme Court said that sales can only take place at places identified by the District Collector or Police Commissioner in consultation with local authorities.
The court directed that information about approved sale points should be made public, and patrolling teams should be formed to monitor these areas. The teams will ensure that only permitted green firecrackers are sold.
Green firecrackers are specially designed to reduce pollution by up to 30% compared to traditional fireworks. They are developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under NEERI.
These crackers do not contain barium nitrate or other harmful chemicals. They help reduce harmful emissions and absorb dust particles in the air, making them a more eco-friendly option for celebrations.
During the hearing, Chief Justice B.R. Gavai said, “Firecrackers are often smuggled into Delhi-NCR, and they cause much more harm than green crackers.”
He added, “We need to take a balanced approach — granting limited permission without compromising the environment.”
