SC to Delhi, NCR states: Decide on blanket ban on firecrackers

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Delhi government and NCR states to take a final call on banning firecrackers throughout the year.

A bench comprising justices Abhay Oka and Augustine George Masih directed the states to take a final call in this regard and communicate the same to the top court.

The ban is required to curb not only air pollution but also noise pollution, the bench said.


"We will consider issuing necessary directions to the state governments on the issue of ban on the use of firecrackers. When we refer to ban on the use of firecrackers, it will also include ban on manufacture, storage, sale and distribution of firecrackers," SC said.

The bench also suggested that all government departments should use electric vehicles as it would help reduce pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. Justice Oka suggested that all government vehicles should be EVs (electric vehicles). The bench further said that ideally such a decision should come from the Commission for Air Quality Management.