New Delhi, Oct 19: The Supreme Court has permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali this year, relaxing the blanket ban in a calibrated order by a bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran.
Under the order, licensed traders may sell green crackers at designated spots from October 18 to 21. Bursting is allowed only in two windows — 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm — on the day before Diwali and on Diwali day. Only crackers certified by NEERI and PESO and carrying QR codes may be sold; sales through e-commerce platforms are barred, and crackers from outside the NCR cannot be brought in.
The court directed police to form patrolling teams to ensure only permitted products are sold and used, and asked the Central Pollution Control Board and the state pollution control boards to monitor air quality from October 14 to 21 and submit a report.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed the order, calling it a balanced approach that respects festive sentiment while protecting the environment. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa warned that licences would be suspended for selling ordinary, non-green crackers.
New Delhi, Oct 19 • SC bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran relaxes the ban • Green-cracker sale Oct 18–21, designated spots, licensed traders only • Use windows: 6–7 am and 8–10 pm on Diwali eve and Diwali day • NEERI/PESO-certified, QR-coded crackers only; no e-commerce sales • CPCB and state boards to monitor AQI from Oct 14–21
Sources: ANI; PTI; LawStreet Journal.