Supreme Court permits next-generation joined green crackers under strict conditions

UPDATE - follow-up to Gen-2 joined green crackers | Explained: The Supreme Court has relaxed rules to allow the manufacture of redesigned Gen-2 joined green crackers ahead of Diwali, following a September 30 order that rejected a nationwide ban.

Court Rules And Limits

The Bench accepted recommendations from CSIR-NEERI for a limited and conditional relaxation. The Court refused to permit 24-hour bursting and will consider fixed time windows for celebrations. Only manufacturers with a licence from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation can register with NEERI.

Science And Pollution

NEERI says Gen-2 crackers reduce PM10 and PM2.5 pollution by 45% to 60% compared to older versions, though these are laboratory figures not yet verified in real-world conditions. The new joined crackers burn at five braids a second instead of 25 to stretch the burn. Smaller shells cut solid waste by 4% to 32%, noise must stay within 125 dB(AI) and 145 dB(C) peak, and barium-based ingredients are restricted. NEERI is modelling barium dispersion in Bhopal, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai with results due by October 15, while the Central Pollution Control Board and the Centre have more time for further tests.

Context

This decision marks a shift in a legal battle that began with petitions filed in the Supreme Court over Delhi-NCR's winter smog, leading to sales suspensions and bans from 2016 onward. The new framework attempts to balance festival traditions and the livelihoods of a largely small-scale informal industry against severe seasonal air pollution risks.