Why in news?

Recently, the Supreme Court signalled it may partially relax the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR “on a trial basis,” seeking to balance environmental concerns and public sentiment — similar to its 2018 Arjun Gopal judgment, which had allowed only low-emission ‘green crackers’.

The case, which began in 2015 with a plea by three infants seeking protection from Delhi’s toxic air, has evolved into a decade-long legal battle over the right to breathe clean air.

Despite court orders, enforcement has been weak, and violations persist, worsening air quality each festive season.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• A Decade of Judicial Action on Firecrackers: 2015–2025
• About Green Crackers
• Concerns and Risks Surrounding Green Crackers

A Decade of Judicial Action on Firecrackers: 2015–2025

• The firecracker litigation began in 2015, when a petition by three infants sought protection from Delhi’s toxic air.
• In October 2018, the SC delivered a landmark ruling, banning conventional firecrackers and permitting only “green” variants developed by CSIR, with fixed time slots for bursting them.
• In November 2020, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed an “absolute ban” on all firecrackers during the Diwali season in the NCR and other highly polluted cities, expanding restrictions beyond the SC’s earlier framework.
• Annual Enforcement and Year-Round Ban (2021–2023)
  • Since 2021, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has regularly banned the sale and use of firecrackers from September through winter each year.
  • In 2023, following Supreme Court directions, Delhi extended the prohibition to a year-round ban to control persistent air pollution.
• Supreme Court’s Latest Observations (2024–2025)
  • In April 2024, the SC observed that a short-term ban around Diwali would not be effective and no relaxation for green crackers should be given without clear evidence of environmental benefit.
  • Later, in September 2025, while reviewing pleas to modify the ban, the Court allowed certified manufacturers to produce green crackers, but prohibited their sale in Delhi-NCR until further orders.

About Green Crackers

• Green crackers are eco-friendly fireworks developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) to reduce harmful emissions and air pollution.
• These crackers are made with smaller shells, reduced raw material use, elimination of ash, and dust-suppressant additives, which help curb smoke and particulate emissions.
• While combustion-based fireworks can never be entirely pollution-free, green crackers release 30–40% fewer pollutants than traditional ones.
• They do not contain toxic substances such as barium nitrate, arsenic, or lead, and instead use alternative formulations that reduce smoke, particulate matter, and noise levels.
• Variants Developed by CSIR-NEERI
  • Introduced in 2018, CSIR-NEERI created three key variants:
    • SWAS (Safe Water Releaser)
    • STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker)
    • SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium)
  • These versions eliminate potassium nitrate and sulphur, helping cut gas and dust emissions significantly while maintaining festive brightness and sound within safer limits.

Concerns and Risks Surrounding Green Crackers

• According to CSIR-NEERI, green crackers emit lower levels of nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide compared to traditional fireworks.
• However, a 2022 Delhi Technological University study found that they still release high concentrations of ultra-fine particles — even more harmful than PM2.5 and PM10, posing serious health risks.
• Identification and Regulation
  • Certified green crackers carry the CSIR-NEERI green logo and encrypted QR codes for authenticity.
  • Only companies approved by NEERI and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) can manufacture them, and licensed vendors are authorised to sell these products.
  • Each cracker is traceable to its manufacturer through the QR code.
  • Despite the regulatory framework, Delhi lacks essential infrastructure — including testing labs, certification mechanisms, and inspection facilities — to ensure compliance.
  • Experts warn that no facility currently exists to verify if the crackers being sold are truly “green.”
  • Moreover, the QR verification system, designed to prevent counterfeiting, has been cloned by unlicensed manufacturers, leading to widespread circulation of fake “green” crackers.