With Diwali approaching, focus on sustainable celebrations is growing, with green crackers being the primary solution for Delhi and north India's severe air pollution problem. Green crackers are designed to emit significantly less smoke and particulate matter compared to traditional firecrackers, thus reducing the peak air pollution during the festival period.
Green crackers have been produced under the supervision of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and approved by the Supreme Court. Green crackers emit lower levels of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and other poisonous gases. They are also designed to be such that they emit fewer sparks and make less noise, thus less environmental and noise pollution.
The government asked people to use only green crackers this year, with campaigns highlighting their health and environmental effects. Schools, NGOs, and civic organizations are spreading the word, focusing on the fact that reduced air pollution can prevent respiratory issues, eye irritation, and other complications, especially for children and seniors.
While green crackers cannot eliminate pollution completely, they are a major step towards making festive celebrations eco-friendly. According to experts, the use of their mixture with community firework exhibitions, limiting bursting hours, and the production of awareness will bring a large change.
Environmentalists would hope that as more individuals use and control traditional crackers, green crackers can gradually go mainstream, allowing individuals to celebrate while still protecting the atmosphere of already-congested city centers.
In this India Today Democratic Newsroom panel discussion, an editorial team examines India's recurring air pollution crisis as air quality index (AQI) levels reach hazardous marks across Delhi-NCR and multiple metropolises ahead of Diwali.
The Supreme Court has allowed certified green crackers for Diwali in Delhi NCR on specific dates and times, with a total ban from November 9. Restrictions include no bursting near hospitals and other sensitive areas, with monitoring of air quality until the end of November.
The Commission for Air Quality Management has enforced GRAP Stage 3 measures across Delhi NCR following a decline in air quality levels into the severe category ahead of Diwali.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, heard a suo motu case on Delhi-NCR's worsening air pollution. The court questioned the growing commercialisation and elite gifting culture around Diwali, pointing out that heavy private vehicle movement, including large SUVs carrying single occupants, severely exacerbates traffic congestion and vehicular emissions. While the Centre cited a drop of over ninety percent in stubble burning cases across Punjab and Haryana between 2021 and 2026, the bench highlighted that vehicular fumes remain the largest contributor outside the farm fire window. Calling for a practical approach, the bench urged authorities to support farmers financially and deploy crop residue management machinery through gram panchayats rather than relying solely on enforcement. The hearing also touched upon previous directions regulating firecrackers to designated hours and silence zones around hospitals and educational institutions.
Air quality across the national capital remained in the severe and hazardous category ahead of Diwali, with multiple monitoring stations recording an Air Quality Index crossing the 400 and near-500 mark. Areas including Rohini and IIT Delhi recorded severe levels above 470, while thick layers of smog reduced visibility across landmarks such as the Akshardham temple. Health advisories highlighted severe risks of respiratory distress, particularly for children and the elderly. Meanwhile, ground data revealed over 2,700 farm fire cases registered in Punjab till November 5, with Tarn Taran district recording the highest number of stubble burning incidents. Political contention intensified over agricultural fires as authorities face persistent challenges in checking seasonal pollution levels. The toxic atmospheric conditions also led to sporting disruptions, including the shifting of the India-Sri Lanka ODI from Delhi to Visakhapatnam due to hazardous weather conditions.
The Supreme Court has mandated that only certified green firecrackers can be burst during specified hours over two days for Diwali. Developed by CSIR-NEERI without barium, green crackers reduce particulate pollution by an estimated 30 percent and lower noise levels, but remain polluting rather than pollution-free. Concerns persist over widespread violations of time limits, fake or missing QR codes, and the sheer volume of crackers wiping out potential emissions gains. Studies from Delhi Technological University and IIT Roorkee also detected high levels of ultrafine particles from green crackers, raising health concerns across Delhi NCR.
Air quality across Delhi and the National Capital Region has deteriorated into the very poor category, with the overall Air Quality Index breaching the 300 mark and crossing 400 in areas such as Rohini and Bawana. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management has enforced Stage Two of the Graded Response Action Plan across the region. Under these guidelines, the burning of wood and coal in hotels and restaurants is prohibited, diesel generator usage is restricted to emergencies, and parking fees have been raised to discourage private vehicle use. The Delhi Metro will run 20 additional daily trips on weekdays, while civic bodies step up mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has permitted the sale and bursting of only green crackers on specific dates during limited morning and evening time slots for Diwali. Gurugram has additionally mandated 50 percent work from home and halted construction activities.
Air quality across Delhi NCR has deteriorated into the very poor category, with the overall AQI reaching 331 and several areas breaching the 400 severe mark. In response, CAQM enforced GRAP Stage 2 measures across the region, which mandate higher vehicle parking charges, strict curbs on diesel generator sets, intensified mechanical sweeping, and 20 additional daily Delhi Metro trips to promote public transport. Meanwhile, Gurugram authorities announced strict pollution control curbs between 5 and 20 November, including a ban on construction activities and 50 percent mandatory work-from-home rules for staff. In addition, the Supreme Court permitted green crackers during Diwali for restricted time slots across Delhi NCR.
The air quality index in the national capital has degraded to the very poor category, surpassing the 300 mark and prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management to enforce Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi NCR. Under the restrictions, demolition and construction activities face curbs, and employees may be advised to work from home. The worsening conditions come ahead of Diwali, amidst ongoing stubble burning in Punjab and recent Supreme Court guidelines permitting only certified green crackers with QR codes for specified hours.
Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply at the onset of Diwali week, with several monitoring stations recording severe pollution levels, including Wazirpur at 424 and Jahangirpuri at 417. The citywide average Air Quality Index breached the 300 mark, prompting authorities to consider invoking GRAP Stage 2 measures. Implementation of the winter action plan faced compliance challenges across commercial hubs like Connaught Place and Lajpat Nagar, despite restrictions on non-compliant BS6 vehicles entering from neighbouring NCR areas, bans on non-emergency construction, and fuel supply restrictions for vehicles lacking valid PUC certificates. Meanwhile, Gurugram announced anti-pollution curbs, including construction bans and a 50 percent work-from-home mandate for offices. The bulletin also covered Rahul Gandhi's open debate challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over alleged foreign backing, Reliance Foundation's unveiling of the 100-acre Anant Ashray care township in Karjat, and the political fallout in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab following recent developments.
Delhi woke up to its worst air quality since February, with average AQI crossing 300 and Jahangirpuri recording 417, marking the season's first 'very poor' level. On the same day, the Supreme Court permitted the use of green crackers in Delhi NCR for Diwali on November 7 and 8 within designated morning and night time slots, barring areas within 300 metres of hospitals, schools, and silent zones before reinstating the ban on November 9. The report charts a 10-year timeline of shifting judicial directives, beginning with a 2015 petition by three children. Between 2016 and 2025, authorities alternated repeatedly between total bans and permissions for green crackers, even as enforcement remained a persistent challenge. The analysis notes that crackers add to ongoing pollution from vehicles, dust, and stubble burning, pointing out that past bans failed to halt firecracker bursting while green cracker mandates struggled with on-ground verification and market availability.
Ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court has permitted the bursting of certified green crackers in the Delhi-NCR region on 7 November and 8 November. Addressing rising air pollution concerns, the apex court stipulated that only green crackers carrying verifiable QR codes will be permitted, issuing a clear warning against fake variants. Bursting of firecrackers has been restricted to designated time slots: 6:00 am to 7:00 am in the morning and 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the evening across Choti Diwali and Badi Diwali. Pollution regulatory bodies will actively monitor air quality across the capital during the festive period.
The Delhi government has launched an integrated twenty-four seven Artificial Intelligence-based Command and Control Centre to monitor and combat the national capital's worsening air pollution. Inaugurated ahead of the peak winter pollution period, the facility integrates round-the-clock surveillance across several sectors. It tracks mechanical road sweeping machines in real time, observes 789 construction sites with live CCTV integration at 716 locations to curb PM10 dust emissions, and monitors citywide Air Quality Index stations. Rapid action backup teams termed 'Vayu Rakshaks' have been deployed with GPS-enabled vehicles and body cameras across 39 divisions to investigate local sources of pollution such as open garbage burning and traffic bottlenecks. Furthermore, the administration outlined broader seasonal measures under its winter action plan, including a prohibition on construction activity starting November, restrictions on non-Delhi vehicles below BS-VI standards, mandatory Pollution Under Control certification for fuel purchase, doubling of Delhi Metro parking fees, and a fifty percent physical attendance limit for offices.
In this Special Report, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa addresses the severe pollution crisis gripping the national capital. Facing questions on whether the government's measures were 'too little, too late', Sirsa apologises to Delhiites but asserts that fixing the air quality is a long-term process. He states, 'We do not want such inconvenience for the people of Delhi... But we can take long-term measures.' The Minister blames the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration for leaving behind a 'disease of pollution' and highlights corrective steps, including reclaiming 45 acres of landfill sites and enforcing strict bans on non-PUC vehicles. Sirsa also defends the decision on green crackers and discusses the political blame game, asserting that the BJP government is working tirelessly to correct years of neglect.
In an exclusive interview with India Today TV's Rajdeep Sardesai and Aneesha Mathur, former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai reflected on his six-month tenure, judicial independence, collegium system, shoe attack on him and his future plans.
In an exclusive interview, former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai addresses critical issues facing the Indian judiciary. Justice Gavai defends the institution's autonomy, asserting the supremacy of the Constitution over Parliament and refuting narratives that the judiciary lacks independence. He discusses the functioning of the judicial roster system, the 'bail, not jail' principle in PMLA and UAPA cases, and the impact of social media on judges. The conversation covers key judgments on 'bulldozer justice,' the powers of governors on bills, and the firecracker ban. Justice Gavai also touches upon free speech, the contempt of court case involving Prashant Bhushan, and the plight of undertrials with reference to NALSA. He confirms his decision to not accept post-retirement gubernatorial or tribunal assignments, stating his intent to focus on social work.
In this special report, former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai discusses the limitations of the judiciary in implementing its orders on issues like 'bulldozer justice', pollution, and mining, and addresses perceptions of judicial deference to the executive in politically sensitive cases. Attributing a quote to former CJI Gavai, he states, 'I don't want anything from the government, I am not going to accept any post retirement assignment. Therefore there is no question of deciding the matters to the liking of the executives'. The programme explores the challenges of enforcing court directives, the functioning of the Supreme Court's roster system, and the ongoing debate around granting bail under stringent laws like the PMLA and UAPA. Former CJI Gavai reflects on key judgments during his tenure concerning the Enforcement Directorate's chief and the independence of tribunals, while defending the judiciary against claims of being influenced by the government. He also comments on the principle that bail is a rule and its application by lower courts.
This special report covers Delhi's escalating air pollution crisis, which triggered a major protest at India Gate involving citizens and leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress. One protestor alleged, 'all this AQI business is fudged and there is so much of fudging that everybody in the city is coughing, everybody is sneezing'. The demonstration on Sunday saw dozens detained by police after activists gathered to demand urgent government action against the toxic smog. Despite the air quality remaining in the 'very poor' category, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided against invoking stricter GRAP-III restrictions. The protest also highlighted criticism against the Supreme Court's decision to allow green crackers and accusations that authorities were manipulating pollution data.
This special report covers Delhi's grand Diwali celebrations, the controversy around post-festival pollution levels, and future plans for Chhath Pooja. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is at the centre of the news, having met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the city's development. A key quote from the transcript highlights the government's stance: 'That data has decreased in our time. It has not increased.' The report delves into the government's claims of reduced pollution despite the Supreme Court's conditional approval for green crackers, a Ramayan-themed drone show at Kartavya Path, and the CM's high-profile meetings with the Prime Minister and other dignitaries. It also touches upon the preparations for Chhath Pooja, with the government promising grander festivities and dedicated ghats along the Yamuna.
This Special Report examines Delhi's severe air pollution crisis following Diwali, featuring a debate with Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, former Delhi Police DCP L.N. Rao, pediatrician Dr. Sanjeev Bagai, and environmentalist Bhavreen Kandari. Dr. Sanjeev Bagai stated, 'my faith and practicing religion should not be a public health hazard for the community at large'. The discussion scrutinises the blatant violation of the Supreme Court's order, which permitted green crackers only within a specific time window. It explores the comprehensive failure of enforcement agencies to prevent the sale of banned firecrackers and enforce the deadline, questioning whether the police lacked the will or capacity. The panelists delve into the contentious issues of 'green crackers', the persistent problem of stubble burning, citizen accountability, and the grave long-term health consequences of the 'air apocalypse', including a potential 11-year reduction in the lifespan of Delhi residents.
