Report finds widespread sale of non-green firecrackers in Delhi's Sadar Bazar despite Supreme Court rules
A ground check by India Today Digital at Delhi's largest firecracker market revealed most products lack the required green certification, with security forces present but not enforcing the Supreme Court's restrictions.
India Today Digital inspected Sadar Bazar, Delhi's biggest wholesale firecracker market, on the morning of Dhanteras and found that the majority of fireworks on sale did not meet the Supreme Court's certification requirements. While the court order issued on November 2 permits only certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR on specific dates and times, most stalls displayed products with QR codes that returned no information, missing mandatory codes, or bearing unfamiliar brands, including many made in China with Mandarin labels.
Security personnel from the Delhi Police, the Central Reserve Police Force and the Central Industrial Security Force were observed throughout the market, but the report noted no visible checks of QR codes or certification documents. A police officer at a main intersection advised a reporter on transport options for firecrackers rather than inspecting the merchandise, and another officer was seen discussing a possible purchase on a video call.
A shopkeeper who asked to remain anonymous said senior police officers had conducted a brief “flag march” two days earlier, temporarily clearing illegal fireworks from the streets, but sellers returned to their previous spots shortly after the officers left. The shopkeeper suggested that enforcement actions are limited to short-term street clearing.
The investigation also highlighted a lack of awareness among sellers about what constitutes a green firecracker. When asked, a minor vendor responded that a particular product would produce “red sparkles and lights,” indicating confusion about the certification criteria.
The presence of non-green fireworks, often priced higher than quieter green alternatives, suggests a commercial incentive to sell louder, uncertified crackers. The report concludes that while the Supreme Court has set clear restrictions, enforcement on the ground appears insufficient, raising concerns about the actual compliance of firecrackers sold ahead of Diwali.