Firecrackers banned completely till November 30 in Delhi-NCR areas

New Delhi : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a total ban on sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi till November 30. The latest ban has been imposed ahead of Diwali to ensure there is no further spike in the air pollution.

The order will be applicable to more than 2 dozen districts across four states that are a part of the NCR.

Nationwide, the ban on firecrackers will be applicable to all "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 the cracker ban optional, but directed states to "initiate special drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of COVID-19".

It added that if there are "more stringent measures (to check air pollution) under orders of the authorities, the same will prevail".