The Supreme Court has given people of Delhi-NCR permission to burst certified green firecrackers on November 7 and 8 ahead of and during Diwali but with conditions time slots, restricted types of fireworks etc. Some areas will remain prohibited as well.
As per the court’s directions, residents will be allowed to burst green firecrackers between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm on both November 7 and November 8. Diwali is being celebrated this year on November 8.
The decision will offer some relief to residents who want to celebrate the festival with fireworks but also address concerns about rising air pollution in the national capital and surrounding areas.
Complete Firecracker Ban to Return on November 9
The Supreme Court has said the permission is only temporary. The complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR will be restored from November 9, 2026.
The order was passed by a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale. The court has also said that authorities have to ensure that its directions are implemented properly rather than allowing violations to continue during the festive season.
Strict Restrictions on Where Firecrackers Can Be Used
The court banned bursting of firecrackers within 300 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes and silence zones.
Educational institutions will also be treated as no-cracker zones, the directions state. Authorities have been asked to identify, mark and publicise these restricted areas so that residents know about the rules.
The restrictions are to protect vulnerable people patients, elderly residents and children from noise and pollution caused by fireworks.
Only Certified Green Crackers Allowed
The Supreme Court has ruled that only green firecrackers certified by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) will be allowed.
Manufacturers with valid certification have been allowed to manufacture approved green crackers between November 2 and November 6. Products listed on the CSIR-NEERI website only can be manufactured under this temporary permission.
Barium-containing firecrackers and products that do not meet green-cracker standards will continue to be banned. The court has also banned the manufacture and sale of joined-series firecrackers (laris or garlands).
Pollution Concerns Remain a Major Issue
Delhi-NCR has serious air quality problems during winter. Firecracker emissions can add to the pollution caused by vehicles, construction activities, industrial emissions and other sources.
Green crackers are supposed to produce less pollution than conventional fireworks but they are not completely pollution free. They can still cause particulate pollution and affect people with respiratory sensitivities.
The Supreme Court’s decision tries to strike a balance between Diwali celebrations and public health and environmental protection but the success of these restrictions will largely be dependent on public co-operation and enforcement by authorities.
Residents are therefore required to use the permitted timings, only certified green crackers and no-cracker zones.
With the two-day relaxation being temporary only, the court has made it clear that Diwali celebrations can be held with regulated fireworks but restrictions will resume from November 9.
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