The Supreme Court has granted permission for the bursting of green firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) for the upcoming Diwali festival, scheduled for November 7 and 8, 2026. This decision comes with a set of rigorous conditions aimed at balancing seasonal traditions with environmental concerns as air quality in the capital begins to show signs of deterioration.
Under the court's directive, residents and revelers are permitted to use firecrackers only during two specific time windows: between 6:00 am and 7:00 am, and in the evening between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm. These timing restrictions are consistent with the court's previous order issued on October 15, 2025. The move follows reports that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has already entered the ‘very poor’ category, reaching 312 at 9:00 am on Monday, which raises significant public health concerns regarding the potential impact of festive activities on the region's air quality.
In a move to protect vulnerable populations, the apex court has mandated that no firecrackers may be ignited within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, and old-age homes. These locations, alongside notified silence zones and educational institutions, have been officially designated as ‘No-Cracker Zones.’ The court has instructed local authorities to ensure these areas are clearly marked and adequately publicised to prevent violations during the celebrations.
The judiciary has also reiterated its stance on the composition of firecrackers allowed for public use. Only green firecrackers—those approved by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI)—are permitted. The order explicitly bans any firecrackers containing Barium, and authorities across the Delhi-NCR region have been directed to take proactive measures to prevent the sale or use of conventional or illegal firecrackers that do not meet these green standards.
Further, the court clarified that the responsibility for ensuring compliance extends to the manufacturing stage. Only manufacturers who possess valid certifications will be authorised to produce green crackers, ensuring that the market is supplied solely with products that comply with the judicial environmental standards. Local authorities are tasked with the enforcement of these manufacturing and retail regulations.
As Delhi-NCR prepares for the festivities, the enforcement of these guidelines is viewed as a critical step in managing the expected post-Diwali surge in pollution. The court's order serves as a reminder to the public and regulatory bodies to remain vigilant against the use of banned substances that could exacerbate the existing pollution levels. By restricting the timeframe and location of firecracker usage, the court aims to provide a controlled framework for the festival while attempting to safeguard public health and ensure compliance with environmental legal requirements.
The directives reflect the ongoing judicial oversight regarding air quality in the national capital, where environmental measures are frequently debated in the lead-up to winter. Residents and authorities are now expected to adhere strictly to these time-slots and site-specific restrictions as part of the legal obligations for the 2026 festive period.
Comments