Eco-Friendly Diwali: SC Authorizes Use of NEERI-Approved Green Firecrackers with Strict Safety Guidelines

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In a historic verdict, the Indian Supreme Court has permitted the use and sale of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) for the coming Diwali festival, which will be celebrated from October 18 to October 21, 2025. The ruling comes after a comprehensive examination of the environmental aspects and the issue of smuggling firecrackers in the area.

Background

The Delhi-NCR area has been suffering from acute air pollution for years, especially around Diwali, and has seen blanket firecracker bans in the past.

But the Supreme Court pointed out that these bans had actually encouraged the smuggling of non-standard firecrackers, which tend to produce more pollutants than their licensed variants.

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Justice BR Gavai added, "Crackers are brought illegally to Delhi-NCR and they are more destructive than green firecrackers," stressing the importance of a balanced approach.

Conditions Imposed

To oversee the green crackers' trade and use, the Court imposed certain conditions:

Selling Period: Green crackers with an approval seal from NEERI can be sold from October 18 to October 20

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Allowable Times of Use: The use of such crackers is allowed only during the hours specified as 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm on the eve of Diwali and on Diwali itself.

Points of Sale with Permit: The licensed traders can sell only the green crackers at the designated places, which are marked by the district authorities.

QR Code for Verification: Every packet of crackers will have a QR code, which will serve to verify its authenticity as well as its compliance with the environmental standards.

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Prohibition on Online Sale: The online sale of firecrackers is completely forbidden.

Monitoring and Enforcement: Police forces are instructed to install patrolling units to oversee compliance, with offending parties to face relevant legal measures.
 

Rationale Behind the Decision

The Court's judgment is consistent with its previous verdict in the 2018 Arjun Gopal case, when it underscored regulation rather than absolute prohibition. Justice Gavai stated that the period of COVID-19, when firecracker usage decreased dramatically, saw a significant decline in air pollution, which suggested that controlled use of green crackers could perhaps be an effective solution.

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Implications and Future Outlook

This temporary easing of restrictions seeks to find a balance between cultural heritage and environmental conservation. Those in authority are mandated to closely measure air quality levels within the prescribed timeframe and submit reports to the Court. The results of this experiment could shape future policy concerning the use of firecrackers in the region

With Diwali just around the corner, residents of Delhi-NCR are asked to follow the guidelines outlined to make this celebration safe and eco-friendly.