New Delhi. Firecrackers can be burst in Delhi-NCR on the occasion of Diwali. Giving an important decision on Monday, the Supreme Court has lifted the ban on burning of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for two days. The Supreme Court has given this exemption only on burning green crackers. After the Supreme Court lifts the ban, firecrackers can be burst from 6 to 7 in the morning and 8 to 10 in the night on November 7 and 8 in Delhi-NCR. There will be a ban on burning of firecrackers within 300 meters of schools, hospitals and silence zones. Earlier in the hearing, the Supreme Court had said that it is not in favor of a complete ban on firecrackers. The Supreme Court had banned selling and burning of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali in 2016 and 2017.
The Supreme Court said in its latest decision that it is giving this relaxation to strike a balance between the condition of air pollution in Delhi-NCR and the tradition during Diwali. There will be a ban on burning of firecrackers in Delhi and NCR from November 9. The Supreme Court said that from November 9, there will be a ban on making, storing, selling firecrackers etc. in Delhi-NCR. Earlier, during the hearing, the Supreme Court had expressed the possibility of giving permission for some time instead of completely banning burning of firecrackers on Diwali in Delhi and NCR. The court had said that it is important to pay attention to preserving the environment along with the religious and cultural sentiments of the people.
The Supreme Court had also said during the hearing that permission cannot be given to burn firecrackers throughout the day. Time will also have to be fixed for this. From this opinion of the Supreme Court, it seemed that permission could be given to burn firecrackers on Diwali in Delhi and NCR. In view of the increasing pollution, the Supreme Court had started imposing some restrictions on burning of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR in 2014-15. Green crackers are those which cause less pollution when burnt compared to other crackers. In green crackers, polluting chemicals like barium are either not used or are used very little.