This Diwali, Delhi stands at the crossroads of celebration and crisis. With air pollution levels already in the ‘poor’ category and expected to worsen in the coming days, the pressing question is: can green crackers make a real difference?

In an effort to balance tradition with public health concerns, the Supreme Court has permitted the limited sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. This order, arriving after years of legal battles and mounting health concerns, restricts sales to licensed vendors and fixed time slots, allowing green crackers to be burst only on specific days and during designated hours.

The Delhi Government has welcomed this move, saying it enables citizens to celebrate Diwali in the traditional way. However, experts remain divided. While green crackers reportedly reduce emissions by 30–40%, they are not pollution-free. Recent studies raise serious concerns about the ultra-fine particles they still emit—and whether enforcement can prevent counterfeit products from flooding the market.

As Delhi once again teeters on the edge of becoming a gas chamber, News9’s Deputy Managing Editor Kartikeya Sharma unpacks the science, policy, and politics behind green crackers. Do they really work? Is a “less toxic” Diwali enough? And can Delhi breathe easier this festive season?

On Point With Kartikeya Sharma raises these........

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