As Diwali draws near, an annual debate starts taking shape in the country: Should firecrackers be banned? While it is known that air pollution usually increases during the festive season, especially in metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai, experts have often debated the share of firecrackers contributing to poor AQIs.

It is also an annual tradition for the State governments and the Supreme Court to release directions for regulating firecracker use in the weeks leading up to Diwali. Earlier this month, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee announced a complete ban on firecrackers till January 1, 2025. The order also banned manufacturing, storage and selling of firecrackers, including delivery through online marketing platforms. Last year, the Supreme Court clarified that its regulations of banning all crackers, except green crackers, are to be implemented throughout the country. Closer home, last year, the Bombay High Court directed municipal authorities and the police administration to ensure that the bursting of firecrackers is restricted to three hours between 8 PM to 10 PM.