Will Green Crackers Light Up Delhi This Diwali? Supreme Court to Decide Soon

The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its verdict on whether green firecrackers will be allowed to be sold and burst in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during this year’s Diwali celebrations.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran to lift the existing ban on firecrackers.
He argued that there was no clear evidence linking poor air quality solely to the bursting of firecrackers.

“There is nothing on record to show that the air pollution is caused by firecrackers. I request that there be no restriction on firecrackers. Even if there’s a two-hour window, one hour goes in convincing parents! We all were children once — the child in me is appealing to the child in your lordships,” Mehta said humorously.

CJI Gavai indicated that the Court might consider the plea.
“Two hours is enough… we will see. For the time being, we may allow it for two days,” he remarked during the proceedings.

Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, appearing for the firecracker manufacturers, informed the Court that in parts of Haryana, firecrackers were banned without giving the industry a proper hearing.
He added, “We are ready to supply crackers only to licensed wholesalers from about 25–30 designated points. This will make the checks more effective. Our own families live here too — if the results are poor, the ban can be reimposed next year.”

Supporting the argument, Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak said, “The already regulated industry has been burdened further. Everyone was painted with the same brush. The manufacturers themselves had suggested identifying and penalising the actual offenders.”

The Supreme Court had earlier imposed a complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi due to recurring air pollution issues. In April 2025, the Court said it would not reconsider the ban on green crackers unless it was convinced that they cause minimal pollution.

However, last month, the Court allowed the manufacture of green firecrackers but maintained the restriction on their sale in banned areas. Now, the Delhi and neighbouring state governments, along with manufacturers, have approached the Court seeking permission to use green crackers during Diwali. They have also suggested similar relaxations for Christmas, Gurpurab, and New Year’s Eve.