Are green firecrackers less polluting than traditional ones? 

October 16, 2025

In a major pre-Diwali decision, the Supreme Court on Wednesday eased the blanket ban on firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR), permitting the use of certified green crackers under strict regulation. The ruling comes as Delhi’s air quality begins to decline with the onset of winter, sparking renewed debate over the environmental cost of festive celebrations.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran said that only green crackers would be allowed in Delhi-NCR between October 18 and 21. The court clarified that this was a temporary relaxation intended to evaluate whether controlled use could coexist with pollution control measures. Firecrackers may be burst only between 6 am and 7 am, and again from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and the preceding day.

The court said the decision sought to balance cultural sentiments and livelihood concerns with the right to clean air. “We have to take a balanced approach, permitting it in moderation while not compromising with the environment,” said Chief Justice Gavai.

The bench directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state pollution control boards to monitor air and water quality from October 14 to 21 and submit reports on the impact of firecracker use. Only certified green crackers bearing QR codes will be allowed for sale at designated locations, and sales through e-commerce platforms will remain prohibited. Crackers from outside Delhi-NCR cannot be sold within the region, and violators risk suspension of their licences.

The Supreme Court also instructed police authorities to form patrol teams to ensure compliance and to verify QR codes on crackers to prevent illegal manufacturing or distribution.

The court’s move follows petitions by the Centre and the Delhi government, both of which sought limited permission to sell and burst green crackers during festivals such as Diwali, Guru Purab, and Christmas. Orders on the pleas were reserved last week.

What are green crackers?

Green crackers are low-emission alternatives developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) in 2018. They are designed to produce less smoke and noise than traditional firecrackers and exclude harmful substances such as sulphur nitrates, arsenic, lead, and magnesium.

According to CSIR-NEERI, green crackers use fewer raw materials, have smaller shells, and release water vapour that helps suppress dust. They are said to emit 25 to 30 per cent less particulate matter and 30 per cent less noise, producing sound levels between 110 and 125 decibels compared to about 160 decibels for conventional fireworks.

Are green crackers really cleaner?

While promoted as an eco-friendly alternative, experts have questioned the actual environmental benefits of green crackers. Studies show that even reduced emissions remain far above safe limits.

Pulmonologist Dr. Sundeep Salvi told Deccan Herald that burning a single sparkler produced PM2.5 levels of about 5,000 micrograms per cubic metre—200 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 25 micrograms per cubic metre. “Even a 30 per cent reduction leaves dangerously high levels of pollution,” he said.

A 2022 study by Delhi Technological University also found that green crackers release ultrafine particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs. Experts warn that even limited relaxation could worsen Delhi’s air quality, which already deteriorates sharply each winter due to vehicular emissions, construction dust, and crop residue burning.

Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari said the relaxation undermines years of efforts to reduce festive pollution. “A 30 per cent drop in emissions under lab conditions means little in Delhi’s winter, when pollutants get trapped under cold air. A single night of fireworks can poison the air for days,” she said.

Sunil Dahiya, founder of the think tank EnviroCatalysts, echoed similar concerns. “With emissions from transport, power, and construction already high, any relaxation on crackers—even green ones—will push Delhi deeper into the severe pollution category,” he told The Times of India.

Past data supports these warnings. Between 2018 and 2020, when only green crackers were permitted, Delhi’s air quality during Diwali still reached the “severe” category.

The Supreme Court’s conditional relaxation will now serve as a test for how effectively enforcement agencies can ensure compliance. The court has sought detailed monitoring reports from pollution boards before deciding whether such a controlled allowance can be sustained in future festivals.