Delhi Seeks Supreme Court Nod For Green Crackers For The Upcoming Diwali Festival

As Delhi braces for its annual battle with post-Diwali pollution, the city’s government is set to approach the Supreme Court with a plea to allow the bursting of “green crackers” for the festival of lights on October 21. With a blanket ban on all firecrackers currently in place, the move has brought the focus back to these less-polluting alternatives. But what exactly are green crackers?

Developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), green crackers are eco-friendly fireworks designed to have a significantly lower environmental impact than their traditional counterparts. According to CSIR-NEERI, they are not entirely “pollution-free” but are a much safer option, as they eliminate harmful chemicals like barium nitrate, a key component in conventional crackers that is a major source of particulate matter pollution.

These crackers are formulated to suppress dust by using additives that release water vapor, thereby trapping dust particles. There are three main types available: SWAS (Safe Water Releaser), STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker), and SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium). While traditional fireworks contain toxic elements like lead and cadmium, these greener versions are designed to reduce particulate matter emissions by at least 30 percent.

To ensure authenticity and prevent fraud, genuine green crackers come with a distinct QR code. Consumers can scan this code to access information about the product’s emission testing report, composition, and manufacturing license.

Experts have warned consumers to be cautious, advising against buying from street vendors who often pass off traditional crackers as green ones.The Supreme Court’s current stance is nuanced. Last month, while upholding the ban on the sale and storage of all firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region, it did permit licensed manufacturers to resume production of certified green crackers.

However, it came with a strict condition: these crackers cannot be sold in the national capital or its adjoining areas. It is this condition that the Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, now seeks to have relaxed for what she termed the “most significant” festival in Indian culture.