Ahead of this year’s Diwali celebrations, the Delhi government has announced its decision to approach the Supreme Court seeking permission for the limited use of certified green firecrackers in the city. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a statement on Monday, said the move is aimed at striking a balance between public sentiments and environmental protection.

“Diwali holds immense cultural and religious significance for millions of Delhiites. Our government respects the traditions and emotions associated with the festival, while remaining committed to controlling pollution levels in the city,” Gupta said.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) released a statement emphasizing that the initiative reflects the government’s dual focus: preserving the cultural and economic vibrancy of the festival and strengthening pollution control measures. “The government will request the Supreme Court to permit the use of certified green firecrackers during Diwali. All guidelines and safety standards will be strictly followed,” the statement added.

At present, the Supreme Court, in its September 26 order, allowed certified manufacturers to produce green firecrackers. However, their sale in the Delhi-NCR region remains restricted without prior approval from the court. These eco-friendly firecrackers must be cleared by both the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).

Delhi government officials indicated that their submission to the Supreme Court will stress that they have no objection to the use of green firecrackers produced by authorised manufacturers. They may also seek permission for a limited, time-bound window of usage during Diwali. Enforcement will be a collaborative effort involving Delhi Police, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and local municipal authorities. A dedicated control room will also be set up to receive public complaints and ensure compliance.

Experts note that green firecrackers are significantly less harmful than conventional firecrackers, emitting around 30 percent fewer pollutants and containing lower quantities of harmful chemicals like barium nitrate. Officials added that previous blanket bans on firecrackers were largely ineffective, as enforcing a total prohibition proved difficult despite ongoing violations.

To complement the legal measures, the Delhi government plans to launch a public awareness campaign educating citizens about the types of firecrackers permitted and the mechanisms to report violations.

The Supreme Court first recognised firecrackers as a major contributor to air pollution in 2017, following which the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) developed green crackers in 2018. During its earlier tenure, the AAP government had imposed a complete ban on firecrackers, which was extended last year until January 1, 2025.

With this latest step, the Delhi government aims to allow citizens to celebrate Diwali safely while reinforcing the city’s environmental protection measures.

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