New Delhi: Ten days before Diwali, the Central government proposed a detailed framework to regulate the manufacture, sale, and use of firecrackers across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) for minimising air pollution.
The recommendations, placed Friday before the Supreme Court, seek to balance environmental concerns with traditional celebrations by restricting time slots for bursting crackers and mandating the exclusive use of NEERI-approved “green crackers.”
Appearing before a bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta outlined the Centre’s plan to allow the manufacture and sale of “green crackers” approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), while enforcing an absolute ban on joined or series crackers, commonly known as ‘laris’.
The proposals follow the Supreme Court’s 26 September order allowing certified manufacturers to produce “green” crackers while prohibiting their sale in Delhi-NCR without explicit court approval. The court had also directed the Centre to review the total manufacturing ban in the region, seeking a more nuanced approach that addresses both environmental concerns and livelihoods dependent on the industry.
In its suggestions, the Centre specified timings that firecrackers should only be allowed within specific time limits—from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.—on Diwali and similar festivals.
For Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the permissible window would be from 11:55 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Gurpurab celebrations may see one-hour window in the morning (4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) and another in the evening (9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.). For marriages and other private occasions, only green crackers may be sold and used.
Mehta also proposed a prohibition on e-commerce platforms from selling any kind of firecrackers, emphasising the need for local enforcement and licensing. The Supreme Court, while reserving its verdict, observed that it would “try to strike a balance” between environmental protection and festive practices.
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Strict regulation, traceability measures
The Centre’s submission detailed a robust compliance framework for manufacturers and retailers. Only licensed traders would be permitted to sell firecrackers, and manufacturers would need to ensure that their products are NEERI or PESO-approved.
The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and state governments have been tasked with rigorous enforcement, including random inspections and testing of samples before and during festival seasons.
To improve traceability, manufacturers must introduce QR codes on all firecracker packaging, allowing authorities and consumers to verify the authenticity and legality of each product. Regular emission testing of samples would also be required to confirm compliance with NEERI’s specifications.
Check on banned chemicals
The proposed framework includes an absolute prohibition on the use of toxic chemicals such as barium, lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead, and mercury. The PESO is expected to coordinate with other agencies to periodically test firecracker samples for these substances.
Authorities will conduct surprise inspections at manufacturing sites, storage areas, and retail outlets to ensure adherence to these rules. In cases of violation, strict penal action including suspension of manufacturing licenses and immediate closure of premises has been recommended.
Grievance redressal
The Centre has emphasised the importance of public participation in implementing the new rules. The states have been directed to conduct widespread awareness campaigns informing citizens about the health and environmental effects of firecrackers, the permissible varieties, and available mechanisms for reporting violations.
Citizens will be able to lodge complaints or report violations through digital platforms like the Sameer App and Green Delhi App. Additionally, NCR authorities, including pollution control boards, the Delhi Police, and PESO, are expected to establish online grievance portals to facilitate prompt action.
To strengthen the evidence base for future policy, the Centre has called for comprehensive source apportionment studies by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and CSIR-NEERI. These studies will assess the contribution of firecracker emissions to Delhi’s air pollution levels and their public health impact.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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