Delhi govt to move SC to allow certified green firecrackers on Diwali, says CM

Each year, to control pollution, a blanket ban is enforced in Delhi on all kinds of firecrackers, including certified green ones.

The government’s decision comes days after the apex court asked the Union government to come up with a “concrete proposal” to ensure that markets in Delhi-NCR have only green crackers before it can consider applications for lifting the stay on the ban of such crackers.

The SC will hear the matter next on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Gupta has said that the government will ensure that the green firecrackers are manufactured only by authorised entities and duly certified by competent departments. The government aims to enable Delhi’s residents to celebrate a radiant and joyous Diwali in a clean and safe environment, it added.

“Keeping in mind the sentiments of crores of people in Delhi, our government has requested the Supreme Court to allow the use of green firecrackers in Delhi during the festival,” the CM said.

She added that based on past experience, a complete ban on firecrackers has not yielded the desired results. “Despite restrictions, violations continued, which led to the use of highly polluting firecrackers and worsened Delhi’s air quality. Therefore, the government wishes to allow the use of green firecrackers in the city,” Gupta said.

The government also reiterated its commitment to effectively curb pollution and protect the environment, and assured full cooperation with the Supreme Court so that any directions issued in this regard can be implemented, said the CM.

Last month, the SC was hearing an appeal by firecracker manufacturers seeking modification of the Supreme Court’s April 3, 2025, order completely banning the manufacturing, storage, sale and use of firecrackers — including those in the green category — in Delhi-NCR.

A bench of Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice N V Anjaria had asked the Centre to take all stakeholders along and come out with a plan by October 7, when it will hear the matter next.

The court had enquired if the ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR was because its people were “elite citizens of this country… entitled to pollution-free air”.

CJI Gavai had said that if polluted air had become “a national problem”, any policy to deal with it should be “on a pan-India
basis”.

“If firecrackers are going to be banned, let them be banned throughout the country,” he had said.