Delhi's Diwali Dilemma: Supreme Court's Green Cracker Mandate Faces Uphill Enforcement Battle

As the festive season approaches, Delhi finds itself at a familiar crossroads: the Supreme Court's unequivocal directive for 'green' crackers, pitted against the formidable challenge of effective on-the-ground enforcement. While the Delhi Police declare themselves 'fully prepared' to implement the apex court's order, history and ground realities suggest that ensuring a truly green Diwali in the National Capital Region (NCR) is an uphill battle.

The Supreme Court's stance is clear: only 'green' crackers are permitted, and their sale is restricted to licensed traders.

The sale of conventional firecrackers is strictly prohibited. This directive aims to mitigate the severe air pollution that chokes Delhi every winter, a crisis often exacerbated by Diwali fireworks.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Public Relations) Suman Nalwa affirmed the police force's readiness, stating that they are 'fully prepared to implement the Supreme Court's order'.

Instructions have been disseminated to all police stations, and beat officers have been tasked with vigilance. However, the practicalities of this enforcement are daunting.

One of the primary hurdles lies in identification. Distinguishing between 'green' and conventional crackers requires a level of expertise often beyond the average citizen or even the enforcing officer.

Green crackers, developed by CSIR-NEERI, are designed to have a reduced emission footprint, but their visual similarity to traditional crackers makes on-the-spot verification incredibly difficult. This ambiguity creates a significant loophole that can be exploited.

Furthermore, the booming online market for firecrackers presents another enforcement nightmare.

Despite bans on online sales, illicit trade thrives on various platforms, making it almost impossible to monitor and intercept. Social media and encrypted messaging apps become conduits for illegal sales, bypassing traditional checks and balances.

Past years offer a bleak precedent. Despite similar bans and directives, Delhi's air quality invariably plummets post-Diwali.

In 2021, over 1,500 people were booked for violating firecracker norms, and thousands of kilograms of illegal crackers were seized. Yet, the sheer volume of violations often overwhelms enforcement agencies, leading to a sense of impunity among offenders.

The challenge extends beyond the police force.

It requires active participation from citizens, licensed vendors, and local authorities to curb the demand and supply of illegal firecrackers. Without a collective resolve to prioritize public health and environmental well-being over tradition, the Supreme Court's green cracker mandate risks becoming yet another well-intentioned but poorly implemented environmental policy.

As Diwali approaches, all eyes will be on Delhi, hoping for a cleaner, greener, and safer celebration, even as the smog of enforcement challenges looms large.