The Supreme Court on Friday said that people in Delhi and the National Capital Region would be allowed to sell and burst firecrackers for five days during Diwali on a trial basis. This could be the first Diwali in years when fireworks are legally permitted, though many worry about how the rules will be enforced and whether it could worsen air pollution.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran reserved its final decision after hearing the Union government’s plan for a tightly controlled system that allows only “green firecrackers” approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute. The court also made it clear that firecrackers would be allowed only during specific time slots.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi NCR and Haryana, requested permission for green firecrackers to be used between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali. He also suggested that they be allowed from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am on New Year’s Eve and for one hour each in the morning and evening during Gurpurab. He added that traditional firecrackers would continue to remain banned.

The government shared a list of measures to regulate how firecrackers are sold in Delhi NCR.

• Sales would be limited to licensed traders
• Online platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart would not be allowed to sell them;
• Manufacturers would have to submit detailed records of production and sales;
• Each product would carry a unique QR code;
• The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and NEERI would verify the QR codes and records.

Officials have proposed regular inspections at manufacturing units and sales points, along with surprise checks to make sure rules are followed. Awareness campaigns would also be organised to inform people about approved green firecrackers and their health impact.

National Environment and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and PESO would keep updated lists of approved products and manufacturers. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)’s NEERI would continue research to develop firecrackers that release fewer emissions, the Centre told the Bench.

The court suggested that random samples of firecrackers be tested for verification, saying that new testing facilities could not be set up immediately. Senior lawyers representing manufacturers also asked that specific areas be marked for selling crackers so that enforcement could be easier.

Environmental experts and amicus curiae, including senior advocate Aparajita Singh, raised concerns that implementation could be weak and “fake green crackers” might still reach the market through false labelling.