Firecracker Ban in NCR Districts Extended by Supreme Court, Next Hearing in March

The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the complete ban on firecrackers in districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana falling under the National Capital Region (NCR) until further orders. The decision was made by a bench comprising Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan during the ongoing MC Mehta v. Union of India case concerning Delhi-NCR air pollution.

Court’s Order

The Court clarified that its earlier directive was not temporary and asked states to consider a permanent ban similar to Delhi’s approach.

“The ban imposed by the states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to NCR parts, effective until today, is extended until further orders. Compliance will be reviewed on March 24, 2025,” the Court stated.

Compliance Updates

The Additional Advocate General (AAG) of Uttar Pradesh, Garima Prashad, confirmed that the state had complied with the temporary ban effective until January 17, 2025. Justice Oka, however, emphasised that the ban’s extension aligns with the need for stricter pollution control in the region.

Federation of Fireworks Traders’ Intervention

An intervention application by the Federation of Fireworks Traders challenged the ban, arguing that the intensity of pollution caused by firecrackers varies by area. The Court questioned the Federation’s claims, stating,

“You must satisfy us that burning firecrackers does not create pollution.”

The hearing was adjourned, with the Court suggesting that firecrackers could be sold in regions without a ban.

Background

The Supreme Court has consistently called for stringent measures to control pollution in Delhi-NCR:

• November 11, 2024: The Court emphasised the right to a clean environment under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• December 12, 2024: Directed NCR states to impose comprehensive bans on firecrackers.
• December 19, 2024: Delhi informed the Court about its full ban on manufacturing, storing, selling, and using firecrackers. Haryana allowed green crackers, while Rajasthan imposed a complete ban in its NCR areas.

The Court noted that uniform implementation of the ban across NCR states is crucial to its effectiveness.

Key Takeaways

• The firecracker ban in NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana is extended until further notice.
• Compliance by the states will be reviewed on March 24, 2025.
• The Federation of Fireworks Traders’ plea will be considered in future hearings.

Case Title: MC Mehta v. Union of India
Case No.: WP (C) 13029/1985