Delhi NCR Firecracker Regulations: Supreme Court Approves Production, Bans Sales of Green Crackers

In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court has allowed the production of green firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR area, but with a significant caveat: their sale within the region is banned. The court clarified that only manufacturers certified by NEERI and PESO can engage in production. Furthermore, the court instructed the central government to consult with stakeholders to address the existing ban on the sale and storage of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, setting a deadline of October 8th. The court had previously raised concerns regarding the selective application of restrictions, suggesting that clean air should not be considered a right only for the ‘elite’ in Delhi and advocating for nationwide implementation. The observations were made during the hearing of petitions concerning firecracker regulations within the NCR on September 12, presided over by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran. The case arose from petitions from firecracker manufacturers and citizen groups contesting an April 3, 2025, order that upheld the December 19, 2024, ban on the sale, manufacturing, and storage of firecrackers in Delhi and the NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The court had emphasized the importance of the year-round ban due to the region’s poor air quality. Following this, neighboring states mirrored these restrictions in their NCR districts. The initial ban was established in 2017 by the National Green Tribunal and was later supported by the Supreme Court in 2018 and has continued since then.