Govt to seek SC nod for use of green firecrackers this Diwali

Respecting the sentiments of Delhi residents and their deep love and devotion for Diwali, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday announced that the Delhi Government will appeal to the Supreme Court to permit the use of certified green firecrackers during the upcoming festival.

She said the government aims to strike a balance between environmental protection and traditional celebration, allowing people to observe Diwali in a clean, safe and joyous manner.

“Diwali is not just a festival, it represents the emotional, cultural and economic heartbeat of Delhi. People celebrate it with great enthusiasm and faith,” said the Chief Minister. She noted that while the use of firecrackers had been banned in recent years due to pollution concerns, the government now wishes to allow only certified green firecrackers that comply with all safety and environmental norms.

Gupta said the government would assure the Supreme Court that all its guidelines would be strictly followed and that only authorised manufacturers and vendors would be permitted to sell green firecrackers.

“A complete ban has not produced the desired results. Despite restrictions, violations continued, and the use of high-polluting firecrackers worsened Delhi’s air quality,” she said.

The Chief Minister reiterated that Diwali symbolises “the triumph of light over darkness and righteousness over wrongdoing” and that the government respects the public’s cultural and religious sentiments. “Allowing certified green firecrackers will revive traditional celebrations, uplift small traders and promote responsible festivities,” she said.

Talking about the ban, top sources said the ban on firecrackers had been in force since 2015-16 due to the city’s worsening air quality during winters. “Had the previous government taken effective steps to curb pollution, a blanket ban might not have been necessary. Every Diwali, the AQI in the national capital reaches the ‘severe’ category, leading to complete restrictions, including on green firecrackers,” the source said.

The source recalled that the Supreme Court first imposed a temporary ban in 2017, observing that firecrackers were among the contributors to Delhi’s air pollution. Following this, in 2018, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR–NEERI) developed ‘green firecrackers’, which emit about 30 per cent less pollutants than conventional ones and contain limited quantities of harmful chemicals like barium nitrate.

That same year, the apex court conditionally permitted their limited use, allowing only certified variants between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali night. However, the source noted that the then government failed to create a clear mechanism for certification and sale of these firecrackers, leading to the continuation of a blanket ban.

“In 2019 and 2020, the complete ban continued as pollution levels remained severe. Later, the National Green Tribunal also ruled that no firecrackers of any kind could be used in areas with poor AQI,” said the source.

Between 2021 and 2024, Delhi continued to enforce a total prohibition, even on green firecrackers, despite the Supreme Court clarifying in 2023 that it had not imposed any universal ban and had left the decision to states based on local pollution conditions.

“The concept of green firecrackers was introduced in 2018, but citing pollution concerns, the previous government never allowed their use,” the source added.