Delhi firecracker ban ground report: Illegal sales thrive despite SC order

Days before Diwali, Delhi's largest firecracker markets remain under heavy surveillance with police, barricades, and paramilitary forces deployed across key locations. However, a ground investigation reveals a vast gap between regulations on paper and their actual enforcement.

At Sadar Bazar, despite official signage permitting green crackers only, several shops continue selling banned firecracker variants openly. While police officers actively remove small street vendors selling decorative items, major firecracker shops operating nearby — including one adjacent to a local police station — face no questioning.

Selective enforcement

Disparity in law enforcement remains a primary concern for local sellers.

"Police had just raided their shops and taken away their stock, yet the bigger shops selling banned crackers carried on," one small vendor stated regarding selective raids near Kotla Mubarakpur police station.

Also Read: SC flags sale of firecrackers in Delhi despite restrictions, asks Centre to act

In Sarojini Nagar, the main market displayed strict compliance, but nearby Pilanji hosted shopkeepers selling illegal crackers under the table. Chandni Chowk mirrored Sadar Bazar, maintaining a heavy deployment of police and CRPF personnel alongside shops operating openly.

Smaller vendors report experiencing multiple daily raids, despite relying on firecracker sales for their livelihood.

Banned items

An inspection of items purchased from these markets confirmed the widespread availability of illegal products. Items procured under the table included banned string firecrackers (laris) and barium-based bombs prohibited by the Supreme Court.

Additionally, markets offered uncertified coloured sparklers and poppers carrying unverified QR codes that link to generic website pages without proper CSIR certification.

Also Read: Delhi in ICU, green crackers just a greenwash: Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha

Under the Supreme Court order issued on November 2, the sale of certified green crackers is permitted strictly from November 4 to November 6. Firecracker bursting is restricted to designated hours — 6.00 am to 7.00 am and 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm —on November 7 and 8, with a complete ban returning on November 9.

Implementation challenges

The Supreme Court previously flagged the issue of conventional crackers being passed off and sold as certified green crackers.

As the court noted, the fundamental challenge remains centered on proper implementation by the ground-level administration.

Also Read: SC permits sale, bursting of green crackers in Delhi-NCR on Diwali

With a total ban scheduled to return on November 9, questions persist about how authorities will handle remaining illegal inventory across Delhi's commercial hubs.