The Supreme Court will hear today the Delhi government’s request to lift the blanket ban on firecrackers and allow the limited use of certified green crackers during Diwali.
The government’s stand comes after years of failed enforcement of a complete ban and little evidence of improved air quality. Officials argue that a regulated use of green crackers may be a more workable option.
Govt seeks nod for regulated use
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Monday that her government would approach the court. “The government respects the sentiments of Delhi residents who celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm and devotion,” she said. “We will request the Supreme Court to permit the limited use of green firecrackers during the festival.”
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa echoed that position. Speaking at the Delhi Secretariat, he said, “Diwali is an important festival for Hindus where firecrackers are burst for a single day. The CM believes the way the entire country celebrates the festival, Delhiites should be able to do the same.”
Delhi first imposed a comprehensive ban on firecrackers in 2017 following a Supreme Court order. The court later allowed green firecrackers in 2018. But from 2020, the state enforced a blanket ban each winter as enforcement collapsed. Despite bans, firecrackers continued to be used across the city, worsening already hazardous air.
Government officials admitted that enforcement has been a consistent challenge. “Violations have persisted, often due to the absence of viable alternatives and challenges in real-time enforcement,” said a senior official.
To address those concerns, the government has proposed a new plan. Agencies such as Delhi Police, the Pollution Control Committee, the Revenue Department, and municipal bodies would monitor the sale and use of crackers. A special control room will be set up to receive complaints from residents. People will also be encouraged to report violations on platforms such as the Green Delhi app.
Officials said a public campaign will be launched to inform residents about certified green crackers, their environmental impact, and reporting options. “The Delhi government has no objection to the use of green firecrackers, provided they are manufactured by authorised entities and certified by competent authorities,” said a senior official.
Experts question impact, cite challenges
The government will submit this position to the Supreme Court. Sources said it will argue that allowing green crackers “in a regulated and time-bound manner, supported by robust enforcement and active public participation, may offer a more pragmatic and implementable solution.”
Green firecrackers were developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) after the 2018 court order. They replace barium nitrate with zeolites, reduce aluminum content, and add dust suppressants. Developers claim they emit 30 to 35 percent fewer pollutants compared to conventional crackers.
Experts dispute their effectiveness. Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari said, “Even when we knew people were not using green crackers, the police said they couldn’t tell the difference.”
RA Sanjeev, former joint commissioner in Delhi Police who retired in 2022, explained the enforcement challenge. “Firecrackers are sold openly in Delhi’s adjoining cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad. The illegal supply is a menace and it’s very difficult for Delhi Police personnel to check each and every vehicle entering the city from multiple borders.”
Air quality data from last year showed how badly pollution spikes during Diwali. Monitoring stations across the city recorded dangerous levels of fine particulate matter between 11 pm and 2 am. In East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar, PM2.5 levels hit 1,853 micrograms per cubic meter at midnight, over 120 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 15 µg/m³.
Court to weigh health against tradition
Medical experts warn that PM2.5 particles can lodge deep in the lungs and trigger both short-term and long-term respiratory problems.
Chief Minister Gupta, in a post on X, said the government remained “fully committed to environmental protection and pollution control.” She added, “Our objective is, a Diwali sparkling with joy, along with a clean and safe environment.”
The Supreme Court will hear the Delhi government’s plea today, alongside submissions from the Union environment ministry. The final order will decide whether the city can burst green crackers this Diwali or continue with the existing blanket ban.
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