The Supreme Court of India on Friday indicated that the ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR could be relaxed during the five-day Diwali festival. A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran reserved its order and said it will decide on easing the absolute ban on firecrackers. For now, the court stated that the ban will be lifted temporarily during Diwali, but it will be subject to certain time limits.
The decision comes amid ongoing concerns about air pollution, which rises sharply in Delhi during Diwali. The festival coincides with stubble burning in neighboring states such as Punjab and Haryana, adding to the city’s already high pollution levels. The Supreme Court’s tentative order aims to balance cultural celebrations with environmental concerns.
During the hearing, the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, requested the court to relax restrictions on firecrackers, particularly Diwali celebration timings. He argued that children should not be limited to only two hours of festivities. “It is a matter of a few days on Diwali. Let children celebrate Diwali with fervour,” he said.
The court responded that it would allow the use of firecrackers on a trial basis for five days. However, the use will be confined to specific time slots to reduce pollution exposure. According to the government proposal, these time windows are:
8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and other major festivals
11:55 pm to 12:30 am on New Year’s Eve
One-hour slots in the morning and evening for Gurpurab
Additionally, firecrackers could be permitted for personal events such as weddings and private celebrations.
Amicus Curiae, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, raised concerns about the sale of fake green firecrackers. She noted that many products are falsely labeled as environmentally friendly but still contain polluting chemicals, which may increase air pollution during celebrations.
The Supreme Court also inquired whether there had been any improvement in Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) between 2018 and 2024 despite the use of green firecrackers.
Environmentalists have repeatedly warned that allowing firecrackers, even green ones, could worsen pollution levels temporarily. Between 2018 and 2020, a similar policy for green crackers did not significantly reduce air pollution. Experts argue that on the ground, it is difficult to distinguish between green firecrackers and conventional ones, making regulation challenging.
Air pollution in Delhi during Diwali is caused not only by fireworks but also by weather conditions, wind patterns, and stubble burning in neighboring states. While green firecrackers emit about one-third less pollution than traditional ones, they still cause a temporary spike in air pollution in the city.
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Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at think-tank Envirocatalysts, said that bursting green crackers could set back Delhi’s air quality efforts by ten years. He emphasised the need to control all sources of pollution, including episodic events like firecracker bursting. Dahiya also stressed addressing perennial sources such as transport emissions, power plants, industrial activity, construction dust, and waste management.
Experts further highlighted the importance of controlling stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Combined with Diwali firecrackers, such burning temporarily worsens air quality across Delhi and neighboring regions. While the Supreme Court’s tentative order provides limited relief for festive celebrations, environmentalists warn that it could lead to short-term spikes in pollution, depending on wind and weather conditions.
The court’s final decision is expected to provide clarity on the extent of firecracker use, permissible time limits, and measures to ensure air quality is not dangerously affected. The ongoing debate reflects the challenge of balancing cultural traditions with environmental protection.
Officials and experts agree that controlling air pollution requires a comprehensive approach, including strict enforcement of existing regulations on green firecrackers, public awareness campaigns, and coordination with neighboring states to reduce stubble burning during peak pollution periods.
In conclusion, while the Supreme Court may allow temporary relaxation of the firecracker ban during Diwali in Delhi-NCR, the environmental impact remains a major concern. Authorities will need to monitor air quality closely and ensure that festival celebrations do not cause lasting harm to public health or the city’s environment.
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