DAYS ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court has allowed the bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) from 6 to 7 am and from 8 to 10 pm on November 7 and 8. Diwali falls on November 8 this year. The top court rued the non-implementation of its earlier directions and measures undertaken by authorities to curb bursting of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. Observing that bursting firecrackers would certainly cause pollution, a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale said the right of an individual to engage in a particular practice, which may have a religious colour, is only a qualified one and cannot go beyond the constitutional restrictions. “Though imposition of a blanket ban seems to be the ideal solution, we are of the opinion that this court, at this point in time, is short of adequate data to decide whether or not a complete ban would be the best solution to solve the problem of environmental pollution, caused by bursting firecrackers,” the bench said in its October 29 order which was made available on Monday. The bench referred to an October 15, 2025 order which had permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali with conditions aimed at balancing traditions with environmental and health concerns.

 

“The permission to burst firecrackers is granted on the same lines as passed by this court vide order dated October 15, 2025. Accordingly, the authorities shall ensure that bursting of firecrackers is allowed only between 6 AM-7 AM and 8 PM-10 PM on November 7 & 8, 2026,” the bench said. It made clear that the complete ban on firecrackers, as imposed earlier, shall be restored with effect from November 9. The bench passed the order on applications filed in a matter concerning the ban on firecrackers. The top court directed that there shall not be any bursting of fireworks within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes and any notified silence zones. It said these areas will be declared as ‘no-cracker zones’ and shall be marked on the ground and published. “The same restriction shall also be applicable to educational institutions. All necessary efforts will have to be made to ensure due compliance as endeavours should be made not to cause any inconvenience to those who are suffering from ailments,” it said. The bench also passed directions regarding firecracker manufacturers and traders. “The firecracker and fireworks manufacturers who possess valid certification for the green crackers, as certified by the CSIR-NEERI, as well as PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation), are permitted to manufacture only those green crackers that have been uploaded on the website of CSIR-NEERI from November 2, 2026 to November 6, 2026,” it said.