Subhechcha Ganguly 
With Delhi’s air quality dipping into the “poor” category for the sixth consecutive day, the Supreme Court has conditionally allowed the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on a test case basis. The approval comes with strict enforcement measures, environmental monitoring, and limited time windows for bursting.
Only NEERI-approved green crackers bearing QR codes are permitted, while traditional ‘ladi’ crackers remain banned. Authorities have issued 168 temporary licences for retail sale at designated city locations.
The court has allowed the sale of green crackers from October 18 to 20, with bursting permitted between 6–7 am and 8–10 pm on October 19 and 20. Delhi Police have been directed to ensure zero tolerance for violations, intensifying foot patrols and market checks to prevent the sale or use of banned firecrackers.
Additional enforcement teams will monitor residential and commercial areas, and shops found selling non-compliant crackers will face closure and licence suspension.
Meanwhile, forecasts by the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) warn that Delhi’s AQI could worsen to “severe” levels by Tuesday, raising concerns about the environmental impact of even limited cracker use this festive season.
