SC says year-round ban on firecrackers needed: Will it be a short-term fix or a step towards cleaner air?
Supreme Court for a year-round ban on firecrackers, aiming to mitigate air quality degradation and noise pollution. Seasonal restrictions, introduced annually during Diwali since 2017, have proven insufficient to address the capital’s pollution crisis. “We will do it permanently,” Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing the Delhi government, told the court, highlighting the administration’s firm stance.
Firecrackers release pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and heavy metals like cadmium and lead. These chemicals not only degrade air quality but also contaminate soil and groundwater.
What is SC’s directive to NCR States
The Supreme Court, led by Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, has sought the views of neighbouring NCR states on a comprehensive firecracker ban, which would include restrictions on manufacturing, storage, sale, and use. «When we refer to a ban on firecrackers, it will also include manufacture, storage, sale, and distribution,» the bench clarified. The court is expected to issue further directions on December 19, 2024.
The judges reiterated the fundamental right of citizens to live in a pollution-free environment, observing that no religious practices justify activities causing harm to the environment.
Expert Opinions on Pollution Sources
While firecrackers contribute to pollution during specific periods, experts argue that other sources have a more sustained impact. As reported by Dipankar Saha, former head of the Central Pollution Control
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