NGT directs complete ban on sale, use of firecrackers in NCR from Nov 9 to Nov 30

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday directed a complete ban on the sale and use of firecrackers from the midnight between November 9 and November 10 to midnight between November 30 and December 1.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel clarified that the direction will apply to all cities and towns in the country where the average of ambient air quality during November (as per available data of last year) fell under the ’poor’ and above categories.

”The cities/towns where air quality is ’moderate’ or below, only green crackers be sold, and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals like Diwali, Chhath, New Year/Christmas Eve etc., as may be specified by the state concerned.