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Delhi's Diwali Dilemma: Green Crackers Still Pollute
14 Oct
Summary
- Green crackers offer limited pollution reduction, failing real-world tests.
- Enforcement is difficult, with fake QR codes sold to unauthorized makers.
- Firecrackers cause acute pollution spikes during severe air quality days.
As Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) prepare for winter, the issue of air pollution, exacerbated by fireworks, remains a significant concern. In 2016, the Supreme Court of India suspended firework licenses due to extreme PM2.5 levels post-Deepavali. While regulations were later relaxed to allow reduced-emission, "green" crackers and impose usage windows, enforcement has proven challenging.
Despite claims by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) that newer green crackers could reduce PM10 by 45%-60%, these benefits are often negated by widespread use. Furthermore, issues like unregistered manufacturers selling QR codes and inadequate testing facilities undermine regulatory efforts. Police have previously struggled to differentiate green crackers from conventional ones.
While fireworks are not the sole culprit in Delhi's air quality crisis, they contribute to acute pollution spikes when combined with other factors like construction dust, vehicles, and stubble burning. Even after the court permitted limited use of green crackers, Delhi's post-Deepavali PM2.5 levels in 2025 reached 488 g/m³, highlighting the persistent problem. Sustainable solutions require formalization of the fireworks manufacturing sector and adherence to regulations.
