Supreme Court’s temporary firecracker relief spikes Delhi’s air pollution to severe levels

Supreme Court's temporary easing of the firecracker ban for two Deepavali nights pushed Delhi's air quality into the 'severe' range, with PM2.5 readings topping 1,000 µg/m³. Sensors across the capital and its outskirts recorded the spike as the festival began, while the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several north‑Indian cities moved from 'poor' or 'very poor' earlier in November to 'severe' on the night of Deepavali. Delhi's five‑day average AQI rose from about 350 before Deepavali to 376 afterwards in 2026, echoing similar jumps in 2024 (298 to 358) and 2025 (259 to 315). The court has said it is aware of the health impact of firecracker emissions but is waiting for quantitative evidence, a request the article says is almost impossible to meet. Meteorological factors such as slackening winds and post‑monsoon dryness already trap dust from vehicles, industry, construction and stubble burning; crackers add to this existing load. The court was warned that a total ban could spur illegal firecrackers from across the border, while an earlier ruling would have let sellers stock low‑emission crackers. CSIR‑NEERI, the lab that developed green crackers, notes that under strict lab conditions these devices cut emissions by only 30‑45%, a reduction that does not translate into a noticeable drop in overall particulate matter, as shown by the post‑festival AQI. The judiciary has been urged to issue a final decision before the 2027 Deepavali season and to set clear limits for manufacture, sale and use of crackers.

Context

Firecracker bans in India are tied to the Constitution’s balance between religious freedom and the right to health, and enforcement has often been uneven, leading to recurring spikes in winter air pollution.