Bursting timings set for Diwali are 6–7 AM and 8–10 PM, with other festivals like Christmas and Gurpurab having separate restricted hours. Authorities, including CPCB and State PCBs, will monitor air quality, while manufacturers must comply with chemical safety and QR code rules.
BY PC Bureau
NEW DELHI, October 15: The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday relaxed the absolute ban on firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR), permitting the use of green crackers for Diwali under strict conditions. The order, passed by a Bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, adopts a temporary approach similar to the one in the 2018 Arjun Gopal case.
The Court’s decision comes after a blanket ban was imposed earlier this year in April, prohibiting all firecrackers, including green crackers, due to concerns over deteriorating air quality. Several petitions had sought a partial relaxation of the ban during festival periods.
Under the new order, the sale and bursting of NEERI-approved green crackers will be permitted from October 18 to October 21, 2025, with sales restricted to designated locations approved by District Collectors and Commissioners in consultation with local police. Authorities have been tasked with ensuring proper monitoring, and patrolling teams will check that only licensed and approved crackers are sold, taking random samples for analysis. Firecrackers not manufactured by licensed producers or sold outside the NCR will be subject to seizure, and violators could face cancellation of licenses. Online sales of firecrackers via e-commerce platforms are strictly prohibited.
The Supreme Court has also specified permissible timings for bursting crackers. On Diwali and the day before, celebrations are allowed between 6–7 AM and 8–10 PM, while other festivals such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Gurpurab have separate restricted hours. The Court also noted regional differences in the celebration of Diwali, such as Narak Chaturdashi, and instructed authorities to accommodate these variations.
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The order further mandates that all green crackers comply with safety norms set by NEERI and PESO, including chemical composition and QR code tracking. Regulatory authorities, including the CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards, will monitor air quality during the festival period from October 14 to 21, with reports to be submitted to the Supreme Court. Violations such as the production or sale of unapproved crackers will result in strict action, including suspension of licenses and seizure of manufacturing facilities.
State governments of Delhi and Haryana had earlier suggested measures to balance public celebration with environmental safety. These included limiting sales to licensed traders, ensuring that only NEERI-approved green crackers are used, and prohibiting the sale of traditional joint crackers and lardis.
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The Supreme Court’s order allows citizens to celebrate festivals while maintaining safeguards for public health and air quality, striking a balance between cultural practices and environmental concerns.
Key Guidelines and Restrictions
- Permitted Dates: The sale and bursting of green crackers approved by NEERI will be allowed from October 18 to October 21, 2025.
- Designated Sale Points: Only sales from locations approved by District Collectors and Commissioners in consultation with local police will be allowed. These points must be widely publicised.
- Police Oversight: Patrolling teams will monitor sale points, ensure only permitted crackers with QR codes are sold, and conduct random sampling for analysis. Violations may result in license cancellation.
- E-commerce Ban: Sale of firecrackers through online platforms such as Flipkart and Amazon is strictly prohibited.
- Timing of Bursting: On Diwali and the day prior, crackers can be burst between 6–7 AM and 8–10 PM. For other festivals, timings are set as follows:
- Christmas and New Year’s Eve: 11:55 PM–12:30 AM
- Gurpurab: 4–5 AM and 9–10 PM
- Regional variations for Narak Chaturdashi will also be considered.
- Manufacturing Compliance: Only crackers developed and approved by NEERI and PESO are allowed. Manufacturers must assign QR codes to all green crackers and submit the details to regulatory authorities.
- Strict Action on Violations: Production or sale of unapproved crackers will lead to immediate seizure of manufacturing sites and suspension of licenses.
- Chemical Safety Checks: Periodic inspections will ensure green crackers are free of banned substances such as barium, lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead, and mercury.
Monitoring and Air Quality Measures
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in consultation with State Pollution Control Boards, will monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) from October 14–21, including air, water, and soil samples from relevant sites. Reports will be submitted to the Supreme Court to ensure compliance.
The order resolves a long-pending issue in the MC Mehta case concerning air pollution in the NCR. The Supreme Court had previously imposed an absolute ban on firecrackers, citing severe air quality concerns. In late September, the Court had allowed the manufacture of green crackers, subject to regulatory approvals from NEERI and PESO, and directed the government to consider revising the ban for festival periods.
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The Court’s Bench noted that Diwali is celebrated differently across regions, with some observing Narak Chaturdashi in the morning, and instructed authorities to consider these timings when implementing the order.
