Delhi Air Pollution Supreme Court Directs UP and Haryana to Impose Complete Ban on Firecrackers Similar to Delhi
In a recent update, the Supreme Court directed Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to implement a complete ban on firecrackers in their NCR region, similar to the ban enforced in Delhi.
The court emphasized that such a ban would be effective only if neighboring NCR states imposed similar restrictions, citing Rajasthan as an example, where a ban is already in place in its NCR areas.
A bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih issued the order during its hearing on Delhi-NCR air pollution in the ongoing MC Mehta Case.
The Court reviewed measures like the firecracker ban, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), and the implementation of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Delhi informed the Court about this year-round ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, distribution and use of firecrackers under the Environment Protection Act, 1993. Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat highlighted the need for similar bans in neighboring states to prevent firecrackers from being brought into Delhi.
The Court acknowledged Delhi’s efforts and remarked, “For a change, we are suggesting the Delhi model should be followed!” The matter is scheduled for further hearing on January 15, 2025, to discuss additional measures for the ban. The Supreme Court has consistently called for strict enforcement of firecracker bans to combat air and noise pollution, citing the right to clean environment under Article 21 of the Constitution.
On December 12, it directed NCR states to impose a year-round ban and stressed that no religion promoted polluting activities. Specific issue-based hearings on broader pollution challenges across India are expected to begin in January.
Source: – Live Law
Written By: – Rajat Ranjan
