Supreme Court: 50 lakhs crackers should be enough for Delhi, NCR

Post the order by Supreme Court, Diwali will be quieter and healthier in Delhi as the availability of fire crackers is expected to go down. Considering the increase in pollution related illness people suffer after every Diwali the apex court has given strict instructions to cut down the number of cracker sale licenses. The court said, in Delhi, a maximum of only 500 licenses will be given. Further, in its interim order, the court held that no import from other states will be allowed. The court has given explicit instructions to monitor the quality of the air and will hear the case again post-Diwali.

The court has also given a stern warning to maintain a 100-metre “ silent zone” around hospitals, courts, educational institutions and religious institutions and the Delhi police need to ensure that this is followed.

The court further said, “ The authorities should rope in schools and educate children on the health hazards of breathing polluted air, including air that is polluted due to fireworks. School children should be encouraged to reduce, if not eliminate, the bursting of fireworks as part of any festivities” .

In 2016, the Supreme Court had suspended the licenses of all shops of firecrackers in Delhi and banned the sale and purchase of firecrackers in National Capital Region.

This order was given by the Supreme Court when three infants, aged one year appealed the court to stop the sale of firecrackers stating that their lungs have not fully developed.

The court in this order mentioned that 30% of the children suffer from asthma problems and proper steps need to be taken in this regard to control this situation.