Also not to allow fireworks throughout the day

New Delhi: Ahead of festival season, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will neither impose a complete ban on firecrackers nor allow their use round the clock, noting that a middle ground would require specifying the hours during which they can be used. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said a total ban would affect people’s sentiments, while allowing fireworks throughout the day would have a “huge impact” on others, including the elderly, sick and children. “We need to find a solution by which we can give a specified time,” the bench observed orally.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati submitted a note stating that limited and conditional relaxation could be considered for specified “next-generation joined green crackers” recommended by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), subject to applicable noise, emission and safety requirements.