Delhi's air pollution is a year-round menace, not merely a winter phenomenon. The city is trapped in a perfect storm of its own traffic, industry, and construction dust, which is then catastrophically exacerbated each autumn by agricultural burning in neighbouring states. The fundamental question remains whether India's capital can ever truly escape its toxic air and reclaim a healthy environment.

In 2024, the Supreme Court had said, “If firecrackers are burst in this fashion, it affects the fundamental right to health of citizens.” 

The Supreme Court’s order to allow green crackers on a “test basis” just days before Diwali has reopened debate over balancing tradition and health.

Experts say there is no clear way to check whether a cracker is truly green, and past attempts at enforcement have been weak.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is currently operating with a 35 per cent staff shortage, while state bodies like the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) also suffer from similar constraints.

Experts warn that giving short notice for new guidelines will make it very hard to enforce them properly in Delhi. The lack of time, resources, and coordination could mean many people ignore the rules.

In 2024, the Supreme Court had said, “If firecrackers are burst in this fashion, it affects the fundamental right to health of citizens.” 

As Diwali nears, the Supreme Court has allowed sale and bursting of green crackers in Delhi-NCR for a limited period. These are fireworks made to emit less pollution and toxic gases. But experts caution that even with reduced emissions, the sheer number of crackers may still harm air quality.

Limited use of ‘green’ crackers allowed, balancing celebration with pollution control

The Supreme Court has allowed the limited use of green crackers during Diwali in Delhi-NCR, under strict monitoring to control pollution levels. The court reiterated that only crackers meeting environmental safety standards can be sold and used, and banned any non-compliant firecrackers.

Can green crackers truly make Delhi’s air cleaner this Diwali? Or does the festive celebration still risk choking the city’s already fragile atmosphere? News9’s Kartikeya Sharma unpacks the science, policy, and politics behind green crackers in conversation with Dr. Sanjeev Agrawal, former Addl. Dir., CPCB; CSE’s Sharanjeet Kaur; Environmental Activist Bhavreen Kandhari; and EnviroCatalysts’ Sunil Dahiya.

The Supreme Court has relaxed the complete ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). This Diwali, the sale and bursting of green crackers has been permitted, albeit with certain conditions. Green crackers do not contain harmful chemicals like sulphur nitrates, arsenic, magnesium, sodium, lead, and barium. But are they less polluting than traditional crackers?

The Supreme Court allowed the bursting of firecrackers from 6 am to 8 am and again from 8 pm to 10 pm within the designated period. The sale of green crackers will also be allowed only between 15 and 25 October at specified sites.

Supreme Court may lift the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR for five days during Diwali, with strict time slots. Decision awaits final order.

In a significant policy reversal, the Supreme Court on Friday permitted the sale and bursting of fire-crackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for five days during Diwali … ‘For the time being, we will allow it during the five days of Diwali on a trial basis. However, we will confine it to certain time limits,’ the CJI-led bench stated.

Firecrackers may make headlines during Diwali, but they are only a temporary reason for the city's air pollution.

The Supreme Court of India indicated on Friday that it may relax the absolute ban on fire-crackers in Delhi–NCR during Diwali, giving tentative approval to limited use under prescribed conditions. A bench headed by B. R. Gavai with Justice K. Vinod Chandran reserved its order after listening to arguments, signalling willingness to permit fireworks for a brief period around the festival.

While "green crackers" are less toxic than regular fireworks, experts warn they will still pollute Delhi's air. Using them will add to the city's severe pollution and make it harder to breathe, especially during winter.