Diwali 2025 falls on October 20, and the court has greenlit offline sales from October 18-21. Bursting is confined to 6-7 AM and 8-10 PM windows over these four days. Only CSIR-NEERI certified green crackers—low-emission variants slashing pollution by 30% and gaseous emissions by 10%—are allowed. These eco-friendly fireworks feature mandatory QR codes for verification, while barium-laden or unapproved ones remain banned.
The framework emphasizes oversight: Sales occur at designated sites approved by district collectors and police. Patrolling squads from the State Pollution Control Board will enforce compliance, with random checks and immediate seizures of violators. Traders caught selling illegal stock face license revocation by PESO and NEERI, plus hefty penalties. Online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart are strictly off-limits for cracker sales.
This trial relaxation marks a shift from the National Green Tribunal's 2020 blanket ban and the Supreme Court's April 2024 extension, which deemed short-term curbs ineffective without proven benefits. CPCB and NCR state boards must now monitor AQI from October 14, reporting to the court.
For Delhiites, it's a double-edged sword. Green crackers promise subdued festivities without the full ban's sting, but experts caution against overuse. The capital's AQI often spikes to "severe" post-Diwali—last year hitting 14 times WHO limits despite prohibitions—fueled by stubble burning, traffic, and dust. Calm winds and inversions trap smog, endangering millions with respiratory risks.
As patrols ramp up, will this curb violations? Delhi's air quality hangs in the balance, testing if green innovation can truly light up Diwali without darkening the skies.
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