'Clean, Joyful Diwali': Rekha Gupta to Urge Supreme Court to Permit Green Firecrackers

The Delhi government will approach the Supreme Court to seek permission for the use of certified green firecrackers during Diwali, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced Monday, saying the move aims to balance

public sentiment with environmental protection.Gupta said Diwali holds deep cultural significance for millions in the city, and her government "respects the sentiments of the people" while staying committed to controlling pollution.

What the Delhi CMO Said?

"The objective of this initiative is to strengthen the government’s commitment to pollution control while honouring traditional practices," the CMO statement said.Gupta said that the people of Delhi celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm, joy and excitement. The festival is not merely a religious occasion but also represents the economic and cultural heartbeat of the city, she said."The chief minister stated that the government will now request the Supreme Court to allow the use of certified green firecrackers during Diwali and emphasised that the government remains deeply committed to environmental protection and pollution control. The government will assure the Supreme Court that all its guidelines and standards will be strictly followed," added the statement.The Supreme Court, in a September 26 order, allowed certified manufacturers to produce green firecrackers but barred their sale in Delhi-NCR without the court’s approval. These firecrackers must be certified by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).Officials said the government plans to inform the court that it has no objection to the use of green firecrackers made by authorised manufacturers and may seek approval for limited, time-bound use during Diwali. Enforcement measures would include joint monitoring by Delhi Police, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and local bodies. A control room will also be set up to handle complaints.Experts say green firecrackers emit about 30 percent fewer pollutants than traditional ones and contain smaller amounts of harmful chemicals such as barium nitrate. Officials noted that blanket bans in past years did not produce the desired results, as enforcement proved difficult and violations continued.The chief minister also called for a public campaign to educate residents about permitted firecrackers and reporting mechanisms for violations.

When was the Blanket Ban on Firecrackers Introduced?

The blanket ban on firecrackers, introduced under the previous AAP government, was extended last year until January 1, 2025. The restrictions began after the Supreme Court's 2017 order recognising firecrackers as a major source of pollution, which led to the development of "green crackers" by CSIR-NEERI in 2018.