In a significant policy shift, the Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to allow the use of certified green firecrackers during the upcoming Diwali festival. This move marks a reversal from the complete ban on all firecrackers, including green variants, that has been in place since 2020.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized that Diwali is the most significant religious festival in Indian culture. “Keeping in mind the sentiments of crores of people in Delhi, our government has requested the Supreme Court to allow the use of green firecrackers in Delhi during the festival,” Gupta stated. She assured that the government remains committed to effectively reducing pollution and protecting the environment. “All green firecrackers must be made by authorized companies and certified by relevant and capable departments,” she added.
Green firecrackers are eco-friendly alternatives developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI). These crackers are designed to significantly reduce air and noise pollution by eliminating harmful chemicals like barium and using additives that suppress dust and release water vapor. The three main types include SWAS (Safe Water Releaser), which releases water vapor to act as a dust suppressant and diluent for gaseous emissions; STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker), which reduces noise and particulate matter by using less harmful compositions; and SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium), which uses minimal aluminum, replacing it with magnesium to reduce sound and pollution. While not entirely pollution-free, green firecrackers are considered a safer alternative to traditional fireworks, which contain toxic elements like lead, cadmium, and barium nitrate.
Earlier, the Supreme Court permitted authorized manufacturers to produce green firecrackers, provided that their sales were not conducted in Delhi-NCR without permission. A bench led by the Chief Justice had also requested that the Center reconsider the complete prohibition on the manufacture of firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). In a more recent development, the Supreme Court allowed the manufacture of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR but prohibited their sale within the NCR. This decision aims to balance industrial and environmental concerns by allowing production but controlling distribution to reduce pollution in a region frequently plagued by poor air quality.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, enforcement of the firecracker ban has been challenging. In the past, widespread defiance of the ban during Diwali celebrations led to hazardous air pollution levels, with the city’s air quality index reaching dangerous levels. Critics argue that Diwali fireworks are scapegoated, deflecting attention from other major, year-round pollution sources such as agricultural stubble burning, industrial emissions, and vehicular pollution.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the matter, the Delhi government’s petition underscores the delicate balance between preserving cultural traditions and safeguarding public health and the environment. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how other regions in India approach the use of firecrackers during festivals.
