A green Diwali or another pollution spike? SC allows crackers in Delhi-NCR for two days

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday permitted the bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on November 7 and 8, 2026, subject to specific time restrictions and safety conditions.

Under the directions, green firecrackers can be burst between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm on both days. The permission follows the conditions laid down in the court's earlier order dated October 15, 2025.

The court has also prohibited the bursting of firecrackers within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes and notified silence zones.

These locations, along with educational institutions, must be designated as 'No-Cracker Zones'. Authorities have been directed to mark these areas appropriately and publicise the restrictions to ensure that residents are aware of the rules.

The restrictions are intended to limit the impact of firecracker use on vulnerable people and sensitive public institutions during the festive period.

The order provides a limited window for green firecracker use in Delhi-NCR rather than permitting unrestricted bursting. Residents must follow both the specified timings and the 300-metre exclusion zones.

Green crackers are designed to reduce emissions compared with conventional firecrackers, but their use does not eliminate pollution. The court's restrictions therefore combine limited permission with safeguards around hospitals, schools, old-age homes and other sensitive locations.

The implementation of the order will depend on local authorities identifying and publicising no-cracker zones and ensuring compliance with the permitted timings.