Delhi government to seek Supreme Court permission for regulated use of green firecrackers this Diwali 2025 amid pollution concerns and enforcement challenges.
In a significant move ahead of Diwali, the Delhi government has announced its intention to approach the Supreme Court seeking permission to allow the use of green firecrackers during the upcoming festival. The proposal aims to strike a balance between public sentiment and environmental protection, amid years of failed attempts at implementing blanket bans.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, addressing a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, stated that the government would advocate for the regulated use of certified green firecrackers in a “time-bound and controlled manner.” Gupta emphasized the need for a pragmatic solution to the recurring issue of air pollution during the festive season.
“The government is committed to environmental protection but also recognizes the cultural significance of Diwali. We will request the Hon’ble Supreme Court to allow green crackers under strict regulation and monitoring,” said Gupta.
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Policy Shift: From Blanket Ban to Regulated Use
Delhi’s stance on firecrackers has changed frequently over the years. The Supreme Court allowed green crackers in 2018 after imposing a ban in 2017. However, due to ineffective enforcement and lack of compliance, the Delhi government shifted to blanket bans from 2020 onwards, especially during winter months when pollution peaks.
Despite these bans, enforcement remained lax, and Delhi’s air quality plummeted sharply after Diwali each year. Pollution levels soared as illegal crackers continued to flood the markets, largely sourced from neighboring cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad.
Why Green Firecrackers ? And Do They Work?
Green firecrackers, developed by CSIR-NEERI, are designed to reduce emissions by 30-35% by replacing harmful elements like barium nitrate with alternative compounds such as zeolites. However, experts remain skeptical.
“Green firecrackers still emit 65-70% of the pollution traditional crackers do. When millions are burst, the impact on air quality remains severe,” said environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari.
Data from last year’s Diwali backs this concern. Delhi’s PM2.5 levels — fine particulate matter dangerous to respiratory health — spiked dramatically across all 40 air quality monitoring stations. Vivek Vihar recorded an alarming 1,853 µg/m³, over 120 times the WHO’s safe limit.
Enforcement Still a Challenge
Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Delhi’s Environment Minister, defended the government’s move, stating that green crackers would only be allowed for limited hours on Diwali if the Supreme Court permits. He also promised a strict enforcement mechanism.
“We are prepared to deploy teams for robust enforcement. Delhiites should be allowed to celebrate Diwali the way the rest of the country does,” Sirsa said.
However, enforcement remains a gray area. Former Delhi Police joint commissioner RA Sanjeev highlighted the difficulty in differentiating green crackers from regular ones and controlling the inflow from surrounding regions.
Supreme Court to Hear Delhi’s Stand on October 8
The Supreme Court has asked the Union Environment Ministry to present Delhi’s stand during the next hearing on October 8. The Delhi government has submitted to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) that it has no objection to firecracker use if regulated and backed by enforcement.
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