SC condemns firecracker ban violations amid worsening air crisis.

New Delhi: 

The Apex Court issued a notice to the Delhi Government and police seeking an explanation for the rampant bursting of firecrackers on Diwali despite an official firecracker ban. This directive aims to control the pollution caused by firecracker use, which has become a pressing environmental and public health issue. The court has asked the administration and the police to share details on how they would prevent a repeat of such violations next year.

A bench of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih pointed out that the court’s previous order regarding the firecracker ban was not enforced and has instructed the government to present records of the specific order imposing this restriction.

On Monday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi deteriorated sharply, with readings exceeding 400 (on a scale of 500) in areas such as Anand Vihar, Rohini, and Vivek Vihar. The pollution intensified further as, at midnight the following day, PM2.5 levels in Delhi surged to a dangerous 603 micrograms per cubic meter. Nitrogen dioxide levels also spiked, surpassing those recorded on Diwali night, as per reports from the Centre for Science and Environment. Fortunately, unseasonably warm weather and steady winds at 10-15 km/h helped disperse some pollutants the next day.

The bench issued serious instructions: “We call upon the Commissioner of Delhi Police to indicate steps taken to enforce a complete ban on the use of firecrackers. The affidavit must outline the effective steps planned for next year to ensure strict enforcement, including public awareness efforts to emphasize the firecracker ban.”

“We direct the Delhi Government to file an affidavit with the orders banning firecrackers and the steps taken for implementation. Additionally, the Delhi Police Commissioner is called upon to file an affidavit detailing enforcement measures. This should include public awareness efforts to ensure full compliance with the ban,” the court added. The Apex Court has asked for a response within a week on whether a perpetual ban on firecrackers could help Delhi “breathe free.”

The Supreme Court imposed the firecracker ban in October 2018, restricting both the sale and production of firecrackers across the NCR region.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has also sought affidavits from the Punjab and Haryana governments concerning farm fires, or agricultural waste burning incidents, which release pollutants into the air. These incidents, recorded between October 22 and 31, contribute significantly to the already critical levels of air pollution in Delhi.

The court has further instructed the central government to consider drafting rules for imposing financial penalties on farmers found guilty of burning agricultural waste.

Violation and Enforcement Challenges

Despite these measures, compliance was low, as many residents across Delhi neighborhoods—such as Lajpat Nagar, Kalkaji, and Dwarka—burst firecrackers during Diwali, leading to alarmingly high pollution levels. The Supreme Court noted the poor enforcement of its directives, observing that pollution levels were higher than previous years, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in many areas breaching the “very poor” and “severe” categories. The Court asked the Delhi government and police to provide explanations on enforcement actions and even considered a perpetual firecracker ban to curb pollution effectively

Pollution Impact

Following Diwali, Delhi became one of the world’s most polluted cities, with AQI levels peaking at dangerous levels. PM2.5 concentrations, a critical measure of air quality, exceeded safe thresholds by up to 15 times in some areas, worsening respiratory health risks. This situation also prompted the Court to request responses from neighboring states on controlling stubble burning, another contributor to the winter smog