SC Allows Sale And Bursting Of Green Firecrackers In Delhi-NCR During Diwali

New Delhi: In a key development for residents in the national development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 15) relaxed the ban on the use of firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR), and allowed the use of green firecrackers for the upcoming Diwali festival.

The order was passed by a bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai and comprising Justice K Vinod Chandran. The bench said the bursting of firecrackers is permitted from 6 to 7 am and again from 8 to 10 pm on the day before Diwali and the day of Diwali.

The bench said the sale of green crackers can be permitted from October 18 to October 20, 2025, and the sale of products can be permitted only from the designated locations.

The bench said that since firecrackers are smuggled in, they cause more damage than green firecrackers, adding that it has to take a balanced approach: permitting it in moderation while not compromising the environment. The bench said this is a "temporary measure" and said no firecrackers from outside NCR will be allowed.

It asked the police authorities to constitute a patrolling team to ensure that only permitted crackers with QR codes are sold and emphasised that action shall be taken against violators.

The bench said aggravated environmental pollution resulting in serious health hazards is pitted against the right to life and the right to carry on a profession, as available to the persons engaged in the firecracker industry and their workmen.

It said bursting firecrackers is an expression of the festive spirit, and it enhances the mood in religious and other auspicious ceremonies, embedded in the cultural milieu of India. "However, that cannot lead to a situation of causing long-term or even short-term damage to health by an uncontrolled use, based only on traditions and cultural or religious norms," it said.

The bench said the ban was imposed to ensure better air quality in the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD), further compounded by the stubble burning in the National Capital Region (NCR), which comprises the entire Delhi and districts in the neighbouring Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

The bench, in its 21-page order, said: “Still, there are concerns addressed by the industry and there is also the issue of the ban having not really put an end to the bursting of firecrackers, especially during festive days, when the conventional firecrackers are smuggled which cause a more damaging effect than the green crackers now developed”.

It said it has to take a balanced approach, taking into account the conflicting interests and permitting in moderation, while not compromising the environmental concerns arising.

“While doing so, we also take note of the concerns raised by the State of Haryana. It is their contention that out of the 22 districts of the State of Haryana, 14 districts fall within NCR. It is, therefore, the contention that almost 70 per cent of the State is affected by the ban on firecrackers. A similar plea was also raised on behalf of the States of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan”, said the bench.

The bench noted that to the query as to whether there was a substantial difference in the AQIs in the year 2018 and 2024 when the ban was imposed, it has been fairly stated that there is not much difference, except during the COVID period when the AQI had drastically come down.

The bench said that after considering various aspects, including the concerns of the environment, sentiments of the citizens during the festive season and the right to livelihood of the workers working in the firecracker industry, directions were issued to balance the interests of the concerned stakeholders.

Apex Court Issues Slew Of Directions

• The sale of green crackers as uploaded on the website of NEERI shall be permitted commencing from 18.10.2025 and continuing only till 20.10.2025. The sale of these products shall be permitted only from the designated locations in the entire National Capital Region which shall be identified by the District Collectors/Commissioners in consultation with the District Superintendent of Police and given wide publicity.
• The district administration and the police shall ensure that use of firecrackers shall be confined between 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on the two days i.e., the one before and on the Diwali day.
• There shall be no firecrackers allowed into the NCR region from outside the said region. The use of firecrackers with Barium and those not approved by the NEERI as green crackers shall not be permitted, and if found for sale or in the possession of individuals/traders, the same shall be confiscated immediately. There shall be no manufacture or sale of firecrackers joined in series (laris).
• The bench said there shall be no sale or purchase of firecrackers through e-commerce networks, and any supply of such products shall be detained, and the product confiscated.
• The Central Pollution Control Board, in consultation with the State Pollution Control Boards and their respective regional offices within the districts coming under the NCR shall monitor the air quality index in their respective jurisdictions starting from 14.10.2025 till 25.10.2025 and file a report before this Court, specifying the air quality of each day indicated hereinabove. Along with such monitoring the Regional Offices of the State Pollution Control Boards shall also take samples of sand and water from sites having more density of use for analysis.
• The bench made it clear that the relaxation is only on a test case basis and the same shall be only for the period specified.
• The bench said the patrol teams shall conduct regular reconnaissance in the designated sites to ensure that only the permitted products shall be sold and that too having the QR Codes issued, and they shall also take random samples for the purpose of analysis, which shall be transmitted to PESO.

Honours Sentiments Of People: Delhi CM

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed the Supreme Court decision on green firecrackers, saying it honours the sentiments of people on Diwali and also reflects a balanced approach towards environmental protection.

In a post on X in Hindi, she said the Delhi government expresses its gratitude to the Supreme Court for permitting the use of green crackers in the national capital at the government’s special request.

"This decision honours the sentiments and festive spirit of the people on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, while also reflecting a balanced approach towards environmental protection. The Delhi government remains fully committed to respecting public sentiment and the vision of a clean and green Delhi. Our goal is to ensure that the festive joy continues while safeguarding the environment," she added.

Urging people to come together to celebrate the harmony of festivity and sustainability with green crackers, she stressed on working towards realising the vision of a “Green and Prosperous Delhi.”

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra also welcomed the order, and said people will celebrate the festival of Diwali traditionally after many years. In a post on X in Hindi, he said that with the change in government in Delhi, "the ban on Hindu festivals have come to an end".

"Jai Shri Ram! With the change in government, after years, Delhiites will celebrate Diwali in the traditional way. The Supreme Court’s decision to allow green crackers on Diwali is a welcome one. Gratitude to Chief Minister @gupta_rekha ji and the Delhi government for presenting the people’s voice before the court," he said on X in Hindi.

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