The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the manufacture of green firecrackers in Delhi ahead of the upcoming Diwali season but maintained a ban on their sale within Delhi and the prohibited areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) due to the ongoing air pollution crisis.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justices Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria observed that a balanced approach was necessary in such matters. The Court noted that while environmental concerns are critical, “extreme orders will create problems,” and manufacturing could be permitted as long as sale in the restricted zones remains prohibited.
Recognising the challenges of enforcing a complete ban, the Court urged the Central government to develop a practical solution after consulting all stakeholders, highlighting that blanket prohibitions often lead to unintended consequences such as black markets and illegal trade.
Until such a framework is devised, the manufacture of certified green crackers will continue, but sales within Delhi and NCR will remain barred.