SC eases ban, clears green fireworks in Delhi for Deepavali, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court eased the blanket ban on fireworks in Delhi and the NCR ahead of Deepavali.
• Sale of green fireworks approved by NEERI and PESO is allowed from October 18-20.
• Use of green fireworks is restricted to October 19-20 during specific hours: 6 a.m.-7 a.m. and 8 p.m.-10 p.m.
• The court described the relaxation as a “test case” to examine regulated use alongside air pollution mitigation.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court directed Central and State Pollution Control Boards to monitor air and water quality from October 14-25 and submit a report detailing the daily Air Quality Index (AQI).
• A complete prohibition during the festive season had been counterproductive, resulting in the smuggling and use of conventional fireworks that were far more harmful than the green variants.
• The court referred to its 2018 judgment in Arjun Gopal v. Union of India, which first introduced the concept of green fireworks, noting they led to a significant reduction in emissions.
• The Delhi government’s order of October 14, 2024, imposing a year-long ban on fireworks, merited reconsideration given cleaner alternatives.
• The court acknowledged submissions that there was no “substantial difference” in AQI levels between 2018 (when green fireworks were introduced) and 2024 (when the blanket ban was imposed).

Key Concepts Involved:

• Green Fireworks: Fireworks with a chemical composition that produces less air pollution than conventional fireworks.
• Air Quality Index (AQI): An index for reporting daily air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is, and associated health effects.
• National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI): An institute that undertakes research and provides solutions to environmental and engineering problems.