In what the top court referred to as a "balanced approach" between enjoying festivities and preserving the environment, the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the sale and detonation of firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR area from October 18 to 21, with the times restricted to 6-7 am and 8-10 pm.

The order, according to a bench made up of Justice K Vinod Chandran and Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai, was a temporary measure intended to determine if a strictly controlled relaxation could coexist with initiatives to reduce pollution. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state bodies were ordered by the court to keep an eye on the quality of the air and water during that time and to report back on the effects of fireworks on Delhi's air between October 14 and October 21.

The CJI stated that illegal firecrackers cause significantly more damage than certified green ones, therefore "we have to take a balanced approach, permitting it in moderation while not compromising with the environment."

The bench stated that those guidelines are still applicable, citing its 2018 ruling in Arjun Gopal v. Union of India, which established the idea of green firecrackers. In addition, the court noted that the Delhi government's October 14, 2024, decree, which banned firecrackers nationwide and later expanded to the entire National Capital Region, needed to be re-examined in light of public opinion and practical enforcement considerations.

The bench established a thorough framework as a stopgap measure. It ruled that patrol teams must regularly inspect manufacturers and that firecrackers can only be sold from approved outlets of sale. To guarantee traceability, the green crackers' QR codes need to be posted on official websites.

The bench further declared that crackers from beyond the NCR would not be permitted in the area. The court further mandated that manufacturers' licenses be promptly suspended for trading in counterfeit or noncompliant goods.

The bench stated that these actions were intended to strike a balance between the "right to clean air, livelihood concerns of the industry, and sentiments of individuals during the festive season."