Ensuring that only green firecrackers are burst during Deepavali, as permitted by the Supreme Court on Wednesday, will be extremely difficult to implement, according to experts.
The top court lifted the blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, allowing the sale and bursting of only certified green firecrackers.
However, with limited time for traders to procure stock and for authorities to enforce the guidelines, experts warn the order could be flouted on a large-scale.
Rajiv Kumar Jain, a member of the Delhi Shopkeeper Association, welcomed the apex court’s decision and termed it “a balanced approach” but admitted that it seems to be difficult for traders to procure and sell green firecrackers in such a short window. “We have less than three days to source them, and supplies cannot reach from Tamil Nadu within this time, given other court restrictions,” he said.
The apex court reaffirmed a year-round prohibition on the production and sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR in April, calling it “absolutely necessary”. Despite this, Delhi witnessed use of firecrackers during Dasara and Karwa Chauth this year, highlighting a chronic enforcement failure.
