Like every year, the air of Delhi has become poisonous this time too during the Diwali season. On Monday, October 20, 2025, the air quality in the national capital was recorded as very poor for the seventh consecutive day. In the morning the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 400, which falls in the ‘severe’ category. This means that breathing air has now become dangerous for health.

While on one hand the air has made breathing difficult in Delhi, on the other hand the layer of poisonous foam in the Yamuna river of Delhi has made the situation more serious. On Sunday and Monday, a layer of thick white foam was seen floating on the surface of Yamuna in Kalindi Kunj area. This foam is covering the natural beauty of the river as well as pointing towards a serious environmental crisis.

Local residents say that every year before the Chhath festival, such foam forms in the Yamuna, which contaminates the water and spreads bad smell. According to scientists, this foam is formed due to industrial waste and untreated sewage falling directly into the river. These chemical substances contain harmful elements like detergent, phosphate and ammonia which produce foam and toxic gases in water.

VIDEO | Delhi: Toxic foam floats over Yamuna in Delhi. Visuals from Kalindi Kunj.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7, pic.twitter.com/4YmUVCtmKO

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 20, 2025

Supreme Court gives limited permission to green firecrackers

The Supreme Court has taken a big step to control pollution. The court has clearly said that only those firecrackers which have been approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) can be sold and burst in Delhi-NCR. These firecrackers cause up to 30% less pollution than traditional firecrackers and do not contain elements like sulfur or heavy metals.

However, the sale and use of serial fireworks is completely banned. The Supreme Court has also mandated that every green firecracker should have a QR code to verify that it is genuine and approved. Strict action will be taken against the sale or use of firecrackers without QR code.

When and for how long can crackers be burst?

The Supreme Court has set a fixed deadline for the use of green firecrackers. According to the order, their sale and burning will be allowed only from 18th to 20th October. On Diwali night, October 20, people can burn green crackers from 6 am to 7 pm and from 8 pm to 10 pm.

This time limit has been kept so that the level of pollution does not increase further. The court has also made it clear that if AQI is already in ‘severe’ condition in an area, then the local administration can ban both the sale and burning of firecrackers there.

Strict system of licensing and monitoring

Delhi Police has said that the orders of the Supreme Court will be strictly implemented. For this, 168 temporary licenses have been issued in the city so that green firecrackers can be sold at designated places only. Every retailer must ensure that they sell only NEERI approved and PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization) certified crackers.

Teams of police and administrative agencies have been formed to keep an eye on the sale. After Diwali, shopkeepers will be given two days to return the unsold firecrackers or destroy them safely. The licenses of those shopkeepers who do not follow the rules will be immediately suspended.

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Every year during Diwali, air pollution increases a lot in areas like Delhi-NCR. For this reason, there has been a complete ban on firecrackers here for the last several years, but this year the Supreme Court has given permission to burn green firecrackers on Diwali with certain conditions. However, many people and environmental experts are still worried. He says that even green crackers are not completely pollution free, only the smoke and damage caused by them is slightly less.

Therefore, it is important that we all keep some important things in mind while using fireworks, so that the festival of Diwali can become safe for everyone and less harmful for the environment. Let us know whether green crackers are not completely pollution free and what things should be kept in mind before bursting with fireworks.

What are green crackers?

Green crackers are those crackers which cause less pollution than traditional crackers. These were created by CSIR-NEERI in 2018. The amount of harmful chemicals in these firecrackers is very less or in their place such substances are used, which produce less smoke and less noise when burnt. These contain either no or very little dangerous chemicals like barium nitrate, sulphur, and potassium nitrate. In their place, chemicals like zeolite and iron oxide are used which reduce harmful elements in the air. When these firecrackers burn, gases like water vapor or air are released which can reduce the dust present in the air. The noise emitted by them is also limited, around 110 to 125 decibels, whereas traditional firecrackers can make noise up to 160 decibels.

Are green crackers not completely pollution free?

Green crackers are not completely pollution free, they only cause 30 to 40 percent less pollution than traditional crackers. That means smoke, harmful gases and small particles also come out from these. When many people burn these crackers in a short period of time, then even this little pollution can turn into a big problem. Especially in cities like Delhi where the air is already bad. CPCB experts also believe that anything that emits smoke cannot be eco-friendly, even if it causes less harm.

What things should be kept in mind before lighting fireworks?

1. Buy only genuine green crackers – If you are thinking of burning green crackers this time, then keep a few things in mind. For example, buy only genuine green crackers, it is necessary to have a QR code on green crackers, which can be scanned to see whether the cracker is real or fake. Fake green crackers can also be sold, which may contain more polluting chemicals.

2. The time for burning crackers is limited – Supreme Court has fixed the time for bursting firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. This time is from 6 to 7 in the morning and 8 to 10 in the night. Follow this rule so that too many people do not burst fireworks at the same time and the pollution level does not increase.

3. Take care of the sick, elderly and children – People suffering from asthma, allergies and breathing problems may face more problems due to smoke during Diwali. Try to ensure that such people stay indoors, use air purifiers or wear N95 masks.

4. Burn firecrackers in small quantities and in open places only – Avoid burning too many crackers. Burning firecrackers in closed spaces or crowded areas causes more harm. Burn firecrackers only while maintaining distance in open grounds, parks or open areas of the society.

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There are only a few days left for Diwali, but the firecracker traders of Delhi are still stuck in problems related to permission and license. In view of this situation, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has appealed to the Delhi Government to issue all the necessary permissions and licenses within the next 24 hours, so that green crackers can be available in the markets on time.

On Thursday, under the leadership of CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal, a large number of firecracker traders reached Delhi Secretariat and launched a peaceful campaign with their demands from the government. After this the delegation met Delhi government ministers Kapil Mishra and Ravindra Indraj. Traders said that if there is a delay in giving permission, not only will the traders suffer loss but the glow of Diwali in the capital will also fade away.

Businessmen adamant on demanding approval within 24 hours

After the meeting, Brijesh Goyal said that the firecracker traders have appealed to the government that all the concerned departments—like Office of Explosives Department, DM Office, Fire Department and Police Administration—should issue licenses and permits in a single day. He said that orders for green crackers have already been placed in NCR cities, so any delay will affect the market and Diwali preparations.

Only five days left, challenge increases for businessmen

Firecracker businessmen Sunil Jain and Inder Goyal said that there are only five days left for Diwali, and it is very challenging to get licenses from all the departments in such a short time. There are about 185 permanent firecracker license holders in Delhi, who get the license from the Office of Explosives Department of the Government of India. The licenses of these businessmen have been suspended for the last few years, without their renewal further process is not possible.

Factories are closed in Delhi, green crackers will come from outside

Brijesh Goyal said that due to the ban on firecrackers in Delhi for the last several years, most of the factories have been closed. This time businessmen are preparing to order green crackers from NCR and other states. He said that if the government issues all the necessary permissions in the next 24 hours, then green crackers can be made available in the markets of Delhi from October 18.

Excessive use of firecrackers during Diwali has a serious impact on the environment. Loud firecrackers not only cause pollution but can also prove dangerous for heart patients and birds. That is why many state governments impose strict restrictions on firecrackers. This time the Delhi government has given permission to burn green crackers.

Sulfur, oxidizer, stabilizer, reducing agent and many types of colors are added to firecrackers. These include chemicals like antimony sulphide, barium nitrate, lithium, copper, aluminum and strontium, which release poisonous gases when burnt. Due to these gases, the air quality index falls rapidly and the sky becomes black during Diwali. Especially in the winter season, when there is fog, pollution increases even more.

Green crackers safe for environment

Green crackers are considered safe for the environment and eco-friendly. In the manufacturing of these firecrackers, those harmful chemicals which are present in normal firecrackers, like aluminium, barium, potassium nitrate and carbon are not included. Instead of these, less harmful elements are used, which reduces pollution to a great extent. Green firecrackers are small in size and light in sound, hence they do not cause noise pollution. Although they are a little more expensive than normal firecrackers, they are considered a better and responsible option from the environmental point of view.

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