Green Crackers Go On Sale In Delhi-NCR: Know The Rules, Timing, And How To Spot Real Ones

As Diwali approaches, 'green' crackers go on sale in Delhi-NCR today, two days before the festival. The Supreme Court has permitted the sale of only eco-friendly crackers between October 18 (Dhanteras) and October 20 (Diwali). Strict guidelines from the Court and the Delhi Police clearly specify what is allowed this festive season, and that includes only green crackers.

Rules and Timings for Green Crackers

The Supreme Court order issued on October 15 and the Delhi Police's circular dated October 16 have clearly defined the rules for selling and bursting firecrackers. Buyers must ensure that each cracker packet carries a verified QR code, which identifies it as an approved green product. Any packet missing this code is considered illegal.

People are allowed to burst these green crackers only between 6 am and 7 am, and 8 pm and 10 pm on Chhoti Diwali (October 19) and Diwali (October 20). Authorities have also warned that violating these guidelines may result in fines or legal action.

What Makes a Cracker 'Green'?

Green crackers were developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) as an eco-friendly replacement for traditional fireworks. These crackers are made with smaller shells, reduced use of raw materials, minimal ash, and dust-suppressing additives.

They release around 30 percent less particulate matter (PM) and about 10 percent fewer gaseous emissions such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO₂) compared to conventional fireworks. The idea behind this development came after the Supreme Court banned traditional crackers in 2017. CSIR was tasked with creating an alternative that could reduce pollution while still supporting the livelihoods of over five lakh workers in the firework industry.

There are two main categories of green crackers. The first includes improved formulations that reduce emissions in existing designs. The second includes new formulations that completely replace polluting chemicals with cleaner ingredients.

Composition and Types of Green Crackers

Conventional firecrackers use chemicals such as barium, aluminium, potassium nitrate, and sulphur, which release harmful gases and toxic metals. Green crackers exclude barium and significantly reduce the amount of aluminium and sulphur used. They depend on cleaner oxidisers and safer chemical mixtures to limit pollution.

These eco-friendly crackers are available in familiar forms like anaar (flower pots), phuljhadi (sparklers), chakkars, and bombs, but with improved formulations. CSIR-NEERI has developed three main variants:

• SWAS (Safe Water Releasable)
• STAR (Safe Thermite Cracker)
• SAFAL (Safe Minimal Aluminium)

These green crackers produce sound levels of around 100 to 120 decibels, similar to regular fireworks, while emitting less particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.

How to Identify Genuine Green Crackers

To identify genuine green crackers, customers should look for two important verification features. The first is the official Green Fireworks logo printed on the packaging. The second is a unique QR code that can be scanned using the 'CSIR-NEERI Green QR Code' mobile application.

Scanning the code reveals details such as the manufacturer's name, the chemical composition, and NEERI certification. Only those crackers that display both the logo and the QR code are legally approved for sale and use.

Monitoring and Enforcement in Delhi-NCR

To ensure the proper implementation of these rules, Delhi Police and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have set up special patrolling teams. These teams are conducting surprise checks at designated selling points to inspect QR codes, verify NEERI logos, and seize counterfeit or illegal products, including banned 'lari' series crackers.

The patrolling squads began their inspections on Thursday, ensuring that only certified green crackers are available to the public this Diwali season.