Will Firecrackers Be Brought Back to Delhi? SC Urges CPCB to Consider Relaxing Restrictions Ahead of Diwali
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday (August 20) asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to consider relaxing firecracker restrictions for the upcoming Diwali season, with specific reference to noise limits. A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Sundresh asked the CPCB to explore partial relaxations for certain types of firecrackers. The court remarked, "Please give some exception; we don’t want to rush it up just before Diwali," as reported by Bar and Bench.
The court was hearing a 2015 case in which it has periodically issued orders restricting firecrackers across Delhi and other northern states affected by winter air pollution between October and January. The top court first imposed a ban on firecrackers in Delhi-National Capital Region during 2014-2015 due to deteriorating air quality. However, in 2025, the court permitted the sale and controlled bursting of "green firecrackers" in the region during Diwali for a limited duration.
During a July 22 hearing, the court instructed Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati to obtain instructions from the CPCB regarding potential partial relaxations on noise levels. When the matter resumed on Wednesday (August 19), Bhati, representing the Union government, requested an adjournment. Allowing the plea, the court reiterated its request to examine noise limit modifications and adjourned the matter for two weeks.
Air quality in Delhi on August 20, 2026, Photo: IQAir.
The 2025 World Air Quality Report by the Swiss air quality technology company, IQAir, ranked New Delhi as the world's most polluted capital, recording an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 82.2 µg/m³ in 2025. Globally, India was ranked the sixth most-polluted country among 143 surveyed nations.
Furthermore, an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed that 65% of Delhi's winter air pollution in 2025 originated from outside the city's borders.
What are green crackers?
Developed by the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), green crackers are designed to produce 30% less pollution than conventional firecrackers. They contain reduced amounts of chemicals like barium and aluminum, alongside additives that suppress dust and smoke. Additionally, green crackers produce less noise and burn for a shorter duration with controlled flames.
CSIR-NEERI has approved new formulations, stating they reduce overall pollution levels by 40% to 60%. According to a CSIR-NEERI report, emissions for fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) were reduced by 45% to 60%. Consequently, the institute recommended these formulations for commercial production in light-emission fireworks, such as flowerpots, sparklers, chakkars, pencils, twinkling stars and their hybrids.
However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has objected to these formulations. The CPCB argues that green crackers still contain barium nitrate – a chemical banned by the Supreme Court – and therefore cannot be permitted.
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