India Supreme Court has allowed the sale and use of “green crackers” during the upcoming Diwali festival, even as Delhi’s air quality plummets to dangerous levels. The ruling partially lifts a 2020 ban on firecrackers in the capital, where pollution typically spikes to its worst each winter.
The court said that the less-polluting firecrackers which claim to emit 20–30% fewer toxic substances and generate minimal ash can be sold and used under strict conditions. Their sale will be permitted only between Saturday and Monday from authorised shops, and they may be set off only in designated areas for one day before and on Diwali. The Supreme Court has fixed a three-hour window for their use: one hour in the morning and two hours at night.
The order came on a day when Delhi’s air quality was 25 to 30 times worse than the World Health Organization’s safe limit. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed PM2.5 levels the fine particles most harmful to human health between 300 and 400 across much of the city, with some areas crossing the 400 mark, categorised as “severe.” Experts warn that such levels can cause serious respiratory illnesses and impact even healthy individuals, especially children and the elderly.
Critics have questioned the court’s decision, arguing that even “green crackers” contribute to pollution and worsen Delhi’s chronic smog problem. “They may emit less, but they still emit harmful toxins into already poisoned air,” one environmentalist said. Others fear that weak enforcement could lead to widespread violations.
Every year, Delhi and much of northern India experience hazardous air during winter, caused by a mix of stubble burning in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and low wind speeds. The bursting of firecrackers during Diwali often sends pollution levels soaring overnight.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government has activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution. The plan bans the use of coal and firewood in eateries, prohibits diesel generators except for emergency services, and restricts construction and industrial activities that contribute to emissions.
The Supreme Court’s decision has divided opinion while many celebrate the opportunity to observe Diwali traditions, others fear the ruling could deepen Delhi’s annual pollution crisis.