{
  "id": 19080065,
  "title": "Delhi struggles with enforcement, violations of time, ‘green’ firecracker curbs worsen pollution",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/delhi-struggles-with-enforcement-violations-of-time-green-firecracker",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T03:30:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/delhi-struggles-with-enforcement-violations-of-time-green-firecracker-curbs-worsen-pollution-101794195057703.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Delhi faced significant challenges in enforcing time restrictions and monitoring the use of \"green\" firecrackers during Diwali, which worsened the city's already poor air quality. Despite the Supreme Court allowing green firecrackers to be used during specific time windows, fireworks continued to be set off well past midnight, contributing to hazardous levels of pollution. Sunil Dahiya, an expert at Envirocatalysts, noted that sulphur dioxide levels rose sharply the day before Diwali and remained elevated, indicating that the permitted green firecrackers were not cleaner than conventional ones. The pollution levels peaked at nearly 600 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) around 1am, far exceeding the 24-hour standard of 60 µg/m³. Experts, including Professor Mukesh Khare from IIT Delhi, acknowledged that green firecrackers could help reduce peak pollution levels but emphasized the difficulty in ensuring only green crackers are sold and used. The lack of effective monitoring and weak distribution networks allowed conventional crackers to flood the markets, defeating the purpose of the restrictions. Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari blamed the lack of enforcement by authorities for the failure to comply with the court's directives, which included provisions for QR codes, designated sale locations, and police patrols. Despite past attempts, such as a complete ban on firecrackers between 2020 and 2024, the problem persisted as residents expressed frustration with the continued bursting of firecrackers during hazardous air pollution conditions.",
  "summary": "Even if green firecrackers produce relatively lower emissions than conventional ones, they are not pollution free",
  "key_points": [
    "Delhi struggled with enforcing time restrictions and monitoring green firecrackers during Diwali.",
    "Pollution levels peaked at nearly 600 µg/m³ around 1am, exceeding the 24-hour standard of 60 µg/m³."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Ineffective monitoring and the widespread availability of conventional fireworks undermine judicial efforts to curb seasonal smog, turning permitted green alternatives into an insufficient solution for Delhi's air quality crisis.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}