Supreme Court Allows Green Crackers in Delhi-NCR

The Supreme Court has permitted the use of green crackers in Delhi-NCR for two days during the Diwali festival. According to the court's directions, people can burst crackers on November 7 and 8 only during two designated time slots: from 6 am to 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm. The court has also instructed authorities to ensure that fireworks are not used within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, old-age homes and notified silence zones. The permission is limited to green crackers, and the authorities have been directed to ensure that the prescribed conditions are followed.

A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale reiterated that crackers containing barium and green crackers not approved by CSIR-NEERI are prohibited. The court also directed authorities to take steps to prevent the illegal import of unauthorised and polluting firecrackers into Delhi-NCR. It further clarified that the complete ban on firecrackers across the region, as ordered earlier, will come back into effect from November 9. These directions were part of the court's October 29 order, which became available on Monday.