Delhi is witnessing a divided response to the Supreme Court's recent decision to temporarily ease the blanket ban on firecrackers, permitting the sale and use of "green crackers" in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for Diwali. While some welcome the move as a balanced approach respecting both environmental protection and cultural traditions, others express concerns about potential health hazards and the effectiveness of regulating green crackers.
The Supreme Court's order allows the bursting of green crackers between October 18 and 21, with specific time slots allotted from 6 am to 8 am and again from 8 pm to 10 pm. The sale of green crackers is also restricted to designated sites between October 18 and October 20. The court has emphasized that only NEERI-approved crackers can be sold through authorized outlets, and crackers containing banned chemicals or sold via e-commerce platforms remain prohibited. To ensure compliance, patrol teams will conduct surprise checks, and QR codes on green crackers must be uploaded on official sites for authenticity. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state pollution control boards (PCBs) of NCR will monitor air quality from October 18 and submit reports after Diwali.
Green crackers, developed by CSIR–NEERI, are designed to reduce environmental impact compared to traditional fireworks. They exclude harmful chemicals such as barium nitrate, arsenic, lithium, and mercury and are claimed to reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions by at least 30%. However, experts caution that they still release harmful pollutants and are not entirely pollution-free. Dr. S Chatterjee, a Senior Consultant at Apollo Hospital, warned that green crackers might still worsen pollution in Delhi and NCR, posing heightened risks for respiratory patients.
Enforcing the selective permission for green crackers may prove challenging, given Delhi's already strained pollution control mechanisms. Concerns remain about the potential misuse of QR codes and the difficulty in distinguishing genuine green crackers from fakes. Despite the ban on conventional fireworks last Diwali, they were still widely used, raising questions about the effectiveness of the restrictions.
The Delhi government is taking a cautious approach, with enforcement teams patrolling designated markets to prevent the sale of banned firecrackers. Authorities aim to curb pollution without canceling celebrations, emphasizing that "Diwali should not turn into a pollution emergency". However, with weather forecasts predicting still air and clear skies, experts fear pollutants could remain trapped, worsening Delhi's air quality after Diwali night. The CPCB has warned that the Air Quality Index (AQI) could slip into the "very poor" category by October 21.
The Supreme Court's decision reflects a pragmatic balance between environmental protection and cultural traditions. It recognizes the need to respect both public health and festive sentiments. The ruling may also serve as a pilot initiative for evidence-based policymaking, depending on the air quality data collected during this period. However, the effectiveness of the green cracker regulations and their actual impact on Delhi's air quality remain to be seen. The city remains divided, with some embracing the limited use of green crackers and others advocating for a complete ban to protect public health.
