Supreme Court Allows Limited Use of Firecrackers in Delhi for Five Days During Diwali

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would lift the blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for five days during Diwali, allowing limited celebrations under regulated conditions.

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said the relaxation will be permitted “for the time being” and confined to specific time slots. The bench has reserved its final order.

As per the Centre’s proposal, firecrackers may be used between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali and other major festivals, 11.55 pm to 12.30 am on New Year’s Eve, and for one-hour slots on Gurpurab. Limited use will also be allowed for weddings and personal events.

However, Amicus Curiae Aparajita Singh cautioned against the sale of “fake green crackers”, saying such products often contain polluting chemicals under misleading labels.

During the hearing, the court asked whether Delhi’s air quality had improved between 2018 and 2024, a period when “green firecrackers” were earlier permitted.

Environmental experts expressed concern over the move. Sunil Dahiya, founder of think tank Envirocatalysts, said even green firecrackers could “set back by 10 years” efforts to curb Delhi’s air pollution, urging authorities to control all sources, from stubble burning to industrial and vehicular emissions.

The court said the relaxation would be on a trial basis and subject to strict adherence to time limits, noting that pollution levels during Diwali are influenced by several factors, including weather, wind conditions, and stubble burning in neighbouring states