Big decision by NGT! Total ban on use, sale of firecrackers in Delhi from midnight to November 30

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a total ban on sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi and adjoining areas starting midnight of November 9 to November 30. The big decision came as the air quality in the national capital region continues to deteriorate as we come closer to Diwali. The air quality in Delhi-NCR is already in the severe zone. The order will be applicable to more than 2 dozen districts across four states that are a part of the NCR. 

Nationwide, it will also be applicable to "cities and towns where the average ambient air quality in November last year was "poor" or worse", the green tribunal has said. 

Only green crackers - considered to be less polluting - will be sold in cities and towns where air quality is "moderate", the tribunal ordered also restricting the timing of use to two hours as specified by the state "due to Covid". 

"If nothing is specified, timing will be 8-10 pm on Diwali and Gurupurb, 6am-8 am on Chhatt and 11.55pm-12.30am during Christmas and New Year's eve," the order read. 

For "other areas" with better air quality, NGT has made imposition of cracker ban optional, but directed states to "initiate special drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of COVID-19". 

Earlier this week, the NGT had sought response of the Union Environment Ministry, the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, the Central Pollution Control Board, the Delhi Police Commissioner and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee on whether the use of firecrackers should be banned from November 7-30. 

On Wednesday, the tribunal expanded its ambit of hearing cases on pollution by use of firecrackers beyond the Delhi-NCR region and issued notices to 19 states and Union Territories where air quality is beyond norms.