Supreme Court of India Demands Stricter Diwali Firecracker Enforcement

The Supreme Court of India declined to impose a total ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) on Thursday, citing the need to balance environmental concerns with public sentiment. However, a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale sharply criticized the Government of Delhi and the Commission for Air Quality Management for failing to implement previous court orders, warning that promises of preparedness without concrete data on seizures and inspections make judicial directions a "mockery."

While the court may allow the limited use of next-generation green crackers on specified days, it urged authorities to focus enforcement on those windows and suggested halting all construction activity during that period to lower the pollution burden. The court also proposed a public awareness campaign featuring respected figures, such as cricketer Virat Kohli, and suggested that education authorities sensitize children to influence their parents' behavior.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that the Delhi government has deployed 608 anti-smog guns, introduced the Vayu Rakshak initiative, and implemented restrictions on vehicles not meeting BS-VI standards. Despite these plans, amicus curiae Uttara Babbar warned that air pollution causes over 2.01 million annual deaths in India and argued that many fireworks sold as green crackers still contain hazardous materials. The court granted the central government three weeks to complete internal consultations regarding the use of barium in firecrackers.