Burning coconuts this Diwali in Delhi-NCR? Check permit timings for green coconuts to avoid bitter festival memories

Diwali 2025: The most auspicious festival of the year is finally here and is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm across the country. As the tradition goes, people are prepared with their collection of fireworks to celebrate the Festival of Lights and make cherished memories of a lifetime. This is the perfect time to share joy and warmth and the excitement of bursting crackers with caution. Even though the Supreme Court in its recent directive has given a green light to the bursting of firecrackers on the occasion of Diwali, but this permission comes with certain conditions. The apex court’s October 15 order and the subsequent instructions issued by Delhi Police give a clear road map for Diwali celebrations with firecrackers. It is important to be careful and keep the permit times in mind to avoid bitter incidents during festivities. Last week, the Supreme Court allowed the sale of green coconuts in Delhi-NCR on the occasion of the Diwali festival from October 18 to October 21. SC order said: “Sales of green crackers will be allowed from October 18 to October 21. Police authority to form patrolling team to keep an eye on only allowed to sell products with QR codes. A time limit of 14 hours is set on October 20 for bursting crackers, which is between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm. This recent directive follows years of blanket ban on the manufacture, sale and use of fireworks in the national capital. The bursting of firecrackers was also allowed for 13 hours, a day before Diwali between 6 am and 7 pm. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday greeted the residents of the capital on the occasion of Diwali and appealed to them to protect the city from pollution by using only green fireworks this Diwali. Encouraging people to celebrate the festival of lights in traditional ways, she said: “On this festival of lights, my heart is filled with joy and happiness for you all.” Wishing joy and happiness, she appealed to the citizens to light diyas, make rangoli and share sweets this Diwali. Expressing hope for peace and harmony, she added, “Delhi is my family, and on this festival I wish happiness and a better future for every member of this family.” How to get green coconuts from others distinguish conventional crackers? Although green coconuts are not pollution free, but they emit 30 percent less particles compared to other conventional coconuts. Developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) after SC intervention, these green crackers feature a unique QR code that can be scanned with the ‘CSIR-NEERI Green QR Code’ Mobile App. These green firecrackers were developed after concerns were raised about deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR when AQI rose to life-threatening ‘severe’ or ‘dangerous’ levels, above 500, in 2016 and 2017. Another method of identifying them is by the official Green Fireworks logo printed on the packaging.