**Delhi Government to Approach Supreme Court for Limited Use of ‘Green Firecrackers’**
*By Snehil Singh | October 7, 2025, 4:54 PM*
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The Delhi government has announced its intention to approach the Supreme Court seeking permission to allow the use of certified “green firecrackers” during Diwali celebrations. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized the significance of Diwali as a key festival in Indian culture and stressed that all green firecrackers should be produced by authorized agencies and certified by competent authorities.
“The Delhi government reiterates its commitment to effectively control pollution and protect the environment,” Gupta added.
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### Supreme Court’s Current Position
On September 26, the Supreme Court permitted certified manufacturers to produce green firecrackers but banned their sale within the Delhi-NCR region. The court stipulated that only manufacturers certified by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) are authorized to produce these eco-friendly firecrackers.
The court further ordered these manufacturers to submit an undertaking promising not to sell any green firecrackers in the prohibited areas until further notice.
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### Are Green Firecrackers Safer?
Experts acknowledge that green firecrackers are a better alternative to traditional ones as they emit approximately 30% less pollutants. These environmentally friendly crackers reduce both air and noise pollution by eliminating harmful chemicals such as barium and using additives that suppress dust and release water vapor.
The Supreme Court had initially imposed a temporary ban on conventional firecrackers in Delhi-NCR back in 2017 to combat escalating pollution levels.
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### Background: The Green Firecracker Ban in Delhi-NCR
In 2018, CSIR-NEERI developed the concept of green firecrackers, which the Supreme Court conditionally approved for use. The court allowed certified green firecrackers to be used during a restricted time window on Diwali night—between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
However, due to worsening air quality, Delhi imposed a complete ban on all firecrackers in 2019 and continued the ban through 2020. This prohibition was further extended until January 1, 2025.
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### What’s Next? Upcoming Supreme Court Hearing
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter next Tuesday. The court has urged the central government to draft a “concrete proposal” to ensure that only green crackers are available in Delhi-NCR markets before considering lifting the ban.
Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, raised concerns about the policy’s national implications during previous hearings. He questioned whether firecracker bans should be uniform across the country if air pollution is a nationwide issue, stating, “If firecrackers are going to be banned, let them be banned throughout the country.”
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*Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story ahead of Diwali.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/delhi/delhi-to-approach-sc-to-allow-certified-green-firecrackers/story