New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) The Supreme Court today allowed the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region between October 18 and October 21, 2025, easing the blanket ban earlier imposed by the Delhi government and extended across the NCR.
A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran observed that there was no significant improvement in air quality when the complete ban was in force, except during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
The court noted that the concept of green crackers was introduced after the judgment in Arjun Gopal vs. union of India (2017), and emissions from these crackers have substantially reduced in the past six years, with research contributions from NEERI.
Emphasising a balanced approach between environmental protection and industrial concerns, the bench issued the following directions as a temporary measure for Diwali 2025, bursting of green firecrackers shall be permitted only from October 18 to October 21, between 6am–7am and 8pm–10pm, and only in designated areas.
Patrol teams shall conduct regular inspections of manufacturers, and QR codes of all approved green crackers must be uploaded on an official verification portal.
No firecrackers shall be brought into NCR from outside the region.
If fake or non-compliant crackers are found, the manufacturer’s licence will be suspended.
The CPCB and state pollution control boards shall monitor air and water quality during the permitted period and submit detailed reports to the court.
The Court clarified that this relaxation applies only for the upcoming Diwali, and further directions will be considered after reviewing the environmental monitoring data.
The bench remarked, “We have considered the suggestions of the solicitor and the amicus. There are genuine concerns from the industry as well. Conventional firecrackers are smuggled and cause greater damage. Hence, a balanced approach is necessary.”
It further noted that in Haryana, 14 out of 22 districts fall within the NCR, and the limited relaxation aims to ensure uniform regulation across the region.
