On January 17, 2025, the Supreme Court of India extended the firecracker ban in parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana within the National Capital Region to combat air pollution. The court emphasized the need for a permanent ban similar to Delhi’s approach, with compliance to be reviewed on March 24, 2025, highlighting environmental protections.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on January 17, 2025, extended the firecracker ban in districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana that fall within the National Capital Region (NCR). The decision comes as part of ongoing efforts to combat air pollution in Delhi and the surrounding areas.
A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, while hearing the MC Mehta case on air pollution, passed the order extending the ban.
“Till further orders are passed, the ban imposed by the state of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to NCR parts of the states, which was effective till today, is extended. The compliance by the states will be considered on 24th of March 2025,”
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the Court ruled.
The Supreme Court had previously directed Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to impose a complete ban on firecrackers, similar to the comprehensive ban already enforced in Delhi.
During the hearing, Additional Advocate General (AAG) of Uttar Pradesh Garima Prashad informed the Court that Uttar Pradesh had complied with the earlier order by imposing a complete ban on all types of firecrackers until January 17, 2025.
However, Justice Oka clarified that the Court’s intent was not for a temporary ban but for the states to consider a permanent ban, similar to Delhi’s approach, to address the persistent pollution concerns in the region.
The Federation of Fireworks Traders filed an intervention application in the matter, seeking to address their grievances.
Justice Oka questioned the counsel for the Federation, stating,
“You will have to satisfy us that burning of firecrackers does not create pollution.”
In response, the counsel acknowledged that firecracker use contributes to pollution but argued that its intensity varies depending on the area.
“Sometimes it is substantial, sometimes it is absolutely negligible,”
he stated, also pointing out that pollution levels differ across locations, even within Delhi.
Justice Oka suggested that the Federation could focus on selling firecrackers in parts of India where no ban is in place, before adjourning the hearing.
The Supreme Court has been consistently addressing the issue of pollution caused by firecrackers in NCR:
- November 2024: The Court observed that no religion promoted polluting activities and emphasized the citizens’ right to a clean environment under Article 21 of the Constitution.
- December 12, 2024: The Court directed Delhi and NCR states to implement a comprehensive year-round ban on firecrackers, including their manufacture, storage, sale, and use, to mitigate air and noise pollution.
- December 19, 2024: Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing Delhi, informed the Court about Delhi’s strict ban on firecrackers. Haryana had allowed limited use of green crackers, while Rajasthan imposed a complete ban in its NCR areas.
The Supreme Court’s decision to extend the ban highlights the urgency of addressing pollution in NCR. The Court will review compliance by Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on March 24, 2025, ensuring strict adherence to measures that protect the environment and public health.
Case Title – MC Mehta v. Union of India
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