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A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandra also allowed the bursting of green firecrackers, limiting the timings to 6-7 am and 8-10 pm
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The Supreme Court on Wednesday permitted the sale and bursting of green crackers in Delhi-NCR for Diwali, reported news agency PTI.
Allowing the joint request of the Centre and Delhi government, a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran relaxed the ban on green firecrackers, reported PTI.
It asked the Central Pollution Control Boards and state pollution control boards of NCR to monitor the pollution level during Diwali and file reports before it.
A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandra also allowed the bursting of green firecrackers, limiting the timings to 6-7 am and 8-10 pm.
"As a temporary measure, we allow bursting of crackers from October 18 to 21," the bench said, reported PTI.
"Crackers are smuggled into Delhi-NCR and they cause more damage than green firecrackers," the CJI said while reading out the operative part of the order, reported PTI.
"We have to take a balanced approach, permitting it in moderation while not compromising with the environment," the CJI said, reported PTI.
The order said patrolling teams will be conducting regular checks on cracker manufacturers and their QR codes have to be uploaded on the websites.
No crackers from outside Delhi-NCR can be sold here and if found, the licences of sellers will be suspended, it added.
The apex court directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state boards to monitor air and water quality during the period and submit a report from October 14 to 21 on the impact of fireworks on Delhi's air, reported PTI.
It also took note of the Delhi government's October 14, 2024, order that had imposed a blanket ban on firecrackers, which was later extended to the entire NCR. The bench said it was necessary to re-examine that approach in light of public sentiment and enforcement realities, reported PTI.
The apex court order came in a case relating to air pollution in the national capital region.
On October 10, the top court had reserved its orders on the pleas seeking permission to manufacture and sell green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the National Capital Region states and the Centre, had urged the apex court to permit bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on occasions like Diwali, Guru Purab and Christmas without any restrictions on the timing.
(With inputs from PTI)
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