Supreme Court urges CPCB to consider relaxing firecracker noise limit restrictions ahead of Diwali

The Supreme Court on Wednesday urged the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to consider relaxing restrictions on firecrackers during the upcoming Diwali season

A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale asked the CPCB to explore whether partial relaxation with respect to certain types of crackers may be possible, with specific reference to noise limits.

"Please give some exception; we don’t want to rush it up just before Diwali," the Court said.

The Court was hearing a 2015 case in which it has been passing orders imposing restrictions of firecrackers in Delhi and other north Indian States which are affected by air pollution between October to January.

Due to the persistent problem of poor air quality in Delhi, the Court had earlier banned the use of firecrackers in Delhi.

However, in 2025, the top court permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during the Diwali festival for a limited period.

When the matter was heard on July 22 this year, the Court asked the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) to get instructions from CPCB as to whether a partial relaxation with respect to certain types of crackers may be possible, with specific reference to noise.

When the matter was taken up for hearing on Wednesday, ASG Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Union government, sought an adjournment.

The Court allowed the same but reiterated its request to explore relaxation on noise limit restrictions for the upcoming festival season.

The matter was then adjourned for two weeks.