New Delhi: As the National Capital Region (NCR) is about to be illuminated by the Diwali holiday lights, the air quality in Delhi is set to undergo a test of its own. Authorities are concerned that the usage of firecrackers may increase pollution.
Under the ongoing watch of the Delhi Police, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and the Supreme Court, only “green” crackers—fireworks that cut emissions by roughly 30%—will be allowed for sale and use this year as a precaution.
Green crackers were officially put on sale in Delhi-NCR on Friday, which coincidentally falls two days before Diwali. Only for three days, from October 18 to October 20, which coincide with Dhanteras and Diwali, has the Supreme Court permitted their sale or use. Still, the rollout got off to a clumsy and perplexing start.
Many complaints, few licenses
About 75 applications for interim green firecracker licenses were processed by the Delhi Police on Friday. There were a few licenses on Thursday as well. In all, more than 100 vendors were granted licenses around the city. Vendor complaints, however, indicated that relatively few had been issued.
“Of the 151 applications we received, 103 licenses for merchants have been granted. By this evening, the remaining 56 will have been eliminated from the process. Delhi Police PRO Sanjay Tyagi informed the media, “The Delhi Police is fully committed to ensuring strict compliance with the guidelines on the sale and use of green crackers in line with the Honourable Supreme Court’s directives.”
A late spike in applications, officials said, was caused by a lack of information that wasn’t fully filled until the police helplines were set up, special units were sent out, and social media was used to raise knowledge of the licensing procedure. Just 15 businesses had submitted applications on the first day of the drive.
A senior police officer stated, “At first, there was confusion, but now the process is moving faster.” “We are striving to guarantee timely license issuance and adherence to the Supreme Court’s order.”
QR code checks and strict enforcement
Devesh Kumar Srivastava, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime), reaffirmed that Delhi Police will adhere to the court’s orders. “Only crackers with QR codes that have been approved by NEERI may be sold. Legal action would be taken if prohibited series of firecrackers are sold or used online, he stated. “It is strictly forbidden to supply via courier or delivery services.”
According to officials, during each festive season, up to 300 people apply for temporary permits in Delhi, where there are approximately 150–180 permanent license holders. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, the District Magistrate, and the Fire Department must all approve the application this year. Other required documents include Aadhaar and PAN, as well as fire safety maps and shop pictures.
Divergent responses from buyers and traders
The Federation of Sadar Bazar Trade Associations’ president, Rakesh Kumar Yadav, told Media that the government’s decision to permit the selling of green crackers this Diwali after years of prohibitions is something they applaud.
“India’s economy depends heavily on festivals and weddings, and permitting green crackers protects the environment and preserves tradition.” Shopkeepers are now relieved and excited after previous prohibitions drove them to the verge of bankruptcy. In addition to reviving customary festivities, we think this ruling will boost the economy for thousands of households that depend on this commerce. He declared that Sadar Bazaar is totally dedicated to advancing the government’s goal of a more robust and independent economy.
Yadav claimed that the market has clearly benefited from recent tax reforms implemented under the GST system by the federal government, which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The cost of Indian-made goods has dropped, making them more competitive with international goods, thanks to the reduction of GST rates, which, for instance, reduced 18% slabs to 5% and some to even 0%. The money is flowing inside the local economy, helping small artists and laborers, he added. “This has increased local production and sales, and customers are now preferring Indian products over Chinese ones.”
Gaurav, a customer who traveled from Noida to purchase crackers, commented that while having eco-friendly options was a nice thing, the cost was greater and the selection was smaller. He remarked, “I hope the government makes sure these crackers are truly green.”
An initial purchaser, According to Pooja Singh, she had never before utilized green crackers. “I wish there was a more straightforward method to verify that they are safe and eco-friendly, but I just scanned the QR code on a packet, and it seemed fine,” she added.
East Delhi resident Siddharth Mehra stated that while everyone wants to celebrate Diwali, they are concerned about pollution and the health of the children. “These green crackers are a better option, but since they are not completely pollution-free, I hope people also adhere to the timing restrictions.”
The Federation of Sadar Bazar Trade Association’s General Secretary, Rajendra Sharma, responded to the government’s abrupt announcement by stating that it ought to have either delayed the policy until the next year or provided at least 15 days’ warning. In just three days, how can a merchant organize their inventory? It’s just not feasible,” he stated.
Since there aren’t many licenses issued and even fewer in the queue, when will traders receive goods, and how will the police determine what is real and what isn’t? Many will simply label it as “green cracker.” The market is now confused and in disarray as a result of this hasty decision,” he continued.
Sharma claimed that traders are having difficulty because the licensing procedure is laborious and slow, requiring 1000 documents. Many people have not yet received licenses and might not even receive them in time due to the demands for documents like fire department authorization and medical certificates. “The government has just brushed the problem aside,” he remarked.
Additionally, he noted that even traders are unsure of the differences between regular and green crackers. “Even I, as a general secretary, don’t know the difference,” he acknowledged, adding that Sadar Bazar’s traders have been negatively impacted by the government’s online licensing process and inadequate coordination between the police, traffic departments, and civic organizations.
A lot of traders were annoyed by the short notice and ambiguous instructions. Brijesh Goyal, the chairman of the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), stated that “an industry cannot be built in two or three days.” Delhi does not have any manufacturing, and we are unable to purchase from outside the NCR. It’s challenging to handle with such rigid limitations.
“We are traders, not chemists,” stated Mukesh Bhai Patakewala, another trader from Sadar Bazaar. We make sure the packages contain QR codes and only purchase from brands that are registered with NEERI. However, consumers are unaware of the distinction between conventional and green crackers.
Others expressed dissatisfaction over stock shortages in spite of strong demand after the Supreme Court’s approval. One retailer remarked, “I receive over a thousand calls every day from customers asking when they can buy crackers.” “We are only allowed to stock them from October 18 to October 20; after that, it is prohibited once more.”
Cracker rules and timings
Only authenticated green crackers with QR codes may be used or sold, under the Supreme Court’s October 15 ruling and the Delhi Police circular that followed. Only on Chhoti Diwali (October 19) and Diwali (October 20) between 6 and 7 am and 8 and 10 pm can these fireworks be set off.
Illegal packets are those that lack the official Green Fireworks logo or the CSIR-NEERI QR code. Infractions may result in confiscation, fines, or possibly prosecution under the Environment Protection Act and the Explosives Rules.
Why is a cracker considered “green”?
After the Supreme Court banned conventional crackers, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) created “green crackers” in 2018.
Because they are made with smaller shells, less chemicals, and water “dust-suppressing” additives, these crackers produce up to 30% less particulate matter (PM) and 10% fewer hazardous gases like nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, making them less polluting.
They fall into three main categories: Safe Water Releasable, or SWAS: Dust is suppressed by this cracker’s emission of water vapor.
A less hazardous thermite compound is used in the STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker) cracker.
SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium): This cracker emits fewer metallic pollutants and uses metals like aluminium sparingly.
However, although being more environmentally friendly, they still generate sound levels that are comparable to those of conventional crackers, ranging from 100 to 120 dB.
How to tell whether the cracker you have is a real teal cracker.
Customers should check the cracker packet for the following confirmations to see if your cracker is a real teal cracker:
1. The logo of Green Firework
2. An easily scannable QR code that offers details about the chemical composition, manufacturer, and credentialing procedure carried out by CSIR-NEERI’s “Green QR Code” app.
It is against the law to sell or use crackers without these markings in Delhi-NCR.
Law enforcement on the ground
Random inspections of marketplaces and temporary stalls have been initiated by Delhi Police and DPCC teams. The teams are scrutinizing packaging, confirming QR codes, and confiscating prohibited goods, including the well-liked but unlawful “laris,” or chain crackers.
The majority of applications for cracker sales, according to officials, came from north, east, west, central, and outer Delhi, where there has historically been a large demand for the product in local markets like Sadar Bazaar, Laxmi Nagar, and Tilak Nagar. We haven’t yet assigned precise locations, a senior officer stated. Vendors are evaluated according to their eligibility and safety, and each has their own stall.
Keeping celebrations and air quality in balance
Amid worries over Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, the Supreme Court decided to permit restricted sales. Low wind speeds of only 5 to 6 kmph are predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Diwali night, which could trap pollutants and cause the air quality to drop into the “severe” zone.
Following Diwali, Delhi’s air pollution usually increases by more than 50% due to fireworks, car emissions, and stubble burning in nearby states. After PM2.5 readings surpassed 200 earlier this week, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has already triggered Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Green crackers, according to environmentalists, are a positive step but not a panacea. A top scientist at NEERI stated, “Emissions may be reduced by 30%, but the amount of use during Diwali still makes the air toxic.” “Stricter enforcement and sustainable celebration alternatives are essential.”
The decision, which Manu Singh described as “heartbreaking,” disregards Delhi’s already dangerous AQI values under GRAP-I limits. It is blatantly hypocritical, he argued, to let even diluted pollution when the city’s air is already poisonous. Green crackers have been referred to as “smogwash” by activists like Jai Dhar Gupta, who contend that politics and religion still take precedence over public health.
Bharati Chaturvedi emphasized Delhi’s lack of civic discipline and enforcement, claiming that the majority of citizens don’t follow environmental regulations or believe government advice.
Environmentalists like Vikrant Tongad and Bhavreen Kandhari emphasized that year-round emission reductions from automobiles, factories, and construction dust are necessary for true success in pollution control.
