New Delhi, Nov. 2: The Supreme Court has permitted the manufacture, sale and bursting of certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for a strictly regulated period around Diwali, allowing their sale from November 4 to 6 and bursting for three hours each on November 7 and 8, while directing that the complete prohibition on firecrackers will resume from November 9, 2026.
A bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Prasanna B. Varale permitted bursting of approved green crackers between 6 am and 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm on November 7 and 8. It also prohibited bursting of firecrackers within 300 metres of hospitals, healthcare centres, old-age homes, educational institutions and notified silence zones, which are to be identified as “No-Cracker Zones”.
The relaxation is subject to stringent safeguards aimed at preventing conventional and unauthorised crackers from entering the market under the label of green crackers.
The court directed that manufacturers must possess valid CSIR-NEERI certification and PESO licences and may manufacture only those green crackers whose details are uploaded on the CSIR-NEERI website. Every box must be sealed and carry a product- and batch-specific QR code containing details of the manufacturer, registration, licence, formulation and test certification.
It prohibited manufacture and sale of joined-series crackers, commonly known as ladis, as well as crackers containing barium or those not approved by CSIR-NEERI. Transfer or misuse of QR codes could result in cancellation of registration or licence.
District administrations have been directed to identify designated sale points, with sales prohibited elsewhere, including online.
Police teams must inspect markets, verify QR codes, seize illegal crackers and initiate prosecution against violators. Vehicles entering Delhi-NCR are also to be checked for transportation of prohibited crackers.
The court further directed the Central Pollution Control Board, in consultation with State Pollution Control Boards, to prepare daily air-quality reports covering November 2-6, November 7-8 and November 9-30. Sand and water samples are also to be collected for comparative analysis.
AQI monitoring stations reported to be non-functional must be inspected and repaired without delay, while authorities have been asked to undertake post-festival cleaning and solid-waste disposal, particularly in highly polluted areas.
The bench also directed publication of the Winter Action Plan 2026, Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2026 and CAQM Annual Action Plan, besides awareness measures through schools, the Delhi Metro and other public platforms.
Authorities must file compliance affidavits by December 14 detailing enforcement, designated sale locations, prosecutions, AQI trends and post-Diwali hospital admissions.
The matter will next be heard on December 16.
Pramod kumar is a Senior Journalist, Covering Supreem Court of India
