Following the Supreme Court’s approval of green crackers for Diwali, environmental experts have raised alarms about the potential worsening of Delhi’s already hazardous air quality. Environmental activist Amit Gupta described the court’s decision as “practical” because it acknowledges people’s right to celebrate Diwali. However, he criticized the lack of a comprehensive approach to tackle air pollution, emphasizing that it is a persistent issue in Delhi-NCR rather than merely a seasonal concern. Gupta highlighted significant administrative deficiencies within pollution control agencies, noting that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is currently facing a 35 percent staff shortage. State organizations such as the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) are similarly constrained.
He remarked, “The fight against pollution is weak on the ground because the institutions responsible are under-resourced and overburdened.” Dipankar Saha, the former additional director and head of Air Laboratories at the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), referred to the ruling as “rational,” stating that certified green crackers are preferable to traditional ones that can contain harmful substances. However, he cautioned that certification alone is insufficient. “Mass awareness campaigns are urgently needed to ensure that only certified crackers are sold in the market,” he added, urging the public to adhere to restrictions on firecracker usage. Saha emphasized that enforcement remains crucial, noting that despite the establishment of regulations, the management of non-certified cracker production and imports has not been effective.
He pointed out that the typical practice of using firecrackers in a concentrated timeframe leads to significant spikes in pollution. Sunil Dahiya, an environmentalist and founder of Envirocatalysts, expressed a more critical perspective, suggesting that the court’s ruling could result in unintended consequences. “Legalising the manufacturing and use of green crackers essentially permits increased emissions during the festive season,” he argued. While Dahiya acknowledged that green crackers emit 30 percent less pollution, he warned that this advantage could be negated by the sheer volume of crackers used during Diwali, leading to an overall increase in emissions. He noted that Diwali occurring earlier this year in October, rather than November, may help as stronger winds could assist in dispersing the smoke.
