SC allows green firecrackers in Delhi during Diwali

The Supreme Court on Monday allowed the manufacture, sale and bursting of certified green firecrackers in Delhi and the adjoining areas that form the National Capital Region for two days during the Hindu festival of Diwali, Live Law reported.

A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale permitted the bursting of green firecrackers between 6 am and 8 pm on November 7, and between 7 am and 10 pm on November 8. The complete ban on firecrackers should be restored from November 9, added the bench.

This year, Diwali will be celebrated on November 8.

The order came even as Delhi’s air quality worsened to the “very poor” level on Monday.

As of 7.05 am, the national capital recorded an average Air Quality Index of 307, showed the Sameer application that provides hourly updates published by the Central Pollution Control Board.

The court had permitted similar relaxations for the sale and use of firecrackers during Diwali last year. Despite the restrictions, several residents lit crackers outside the permitted period.

On Monday, the court asked the authorities to ensure that only green firecrackers approved by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Environmental Engineering Research Institute are sold in the market, Live Law reported.

Green firecrackers are less polluting than regular ones as they are made with modified formulations and do not contain certain harmful...

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