Fireworks manufacturers’ associations in Sivakasi hail Supreme Court order lifting cracker ban in Delhi NCR

Major fireworks manufacturers’ associations in Sivakasi have welcomed the Supreme Court judgment relaxing the blanket ban on bursting crackers in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) during Deepavali.

The top court on Wednesday (October 15, 2025) relaxed its earlier blanket prohibition and permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi NCR, subject to stringent conditions. The court permitted the bursting of crackers during Deepavali for four days, from October 18 to 21.  

“It is the most joyous moment for the fireworks industry. Allowing the bursting of green crackers in the Delhi NCR will give a boost to the fireworks manufacturers and also generate additional employment for lakhs of workers in the industry,” said P. Ganesan, president of Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association (TANFAMA).

Mr. Ganesan said that Delhi NCR comprised about 15% of the domestic fireworks market. However, he was quick to add that no fresh supply of crackers to the NCR region could be made from Sivakasi this Deepavali, to be celebrated on October 20. “Perhaps dealers in north India could divert their goods to Delhi NCR,” he added.

General secretary of The Indian Fireworks Manufacturers’ Association (TIFMA) in Sivakasi, T. Kannan, said that the apex court judgment has given a new lease of life to the industry. “This judgment has proven our contention that crackers were not the major environmental pollutant in Delhi NCR. We welcome the judgment,” he said. Mr. Kannan said that the size of Delhi NCR is almost that of two States, and this market will generate more production and employment in the fireworks industry next year.

A. Asaithambi, of Sivakasi Fireworks Manufacturers’ Association (SIFMA), said that the judgment is one step forward for the fireworks industry that has been fighting legal cases in the Supreme Court for a long time.

“The judgment, which has come in the last hour, would not benefit the industry this year. Even the formalities for getting licences for crackers shops will take at least couple of days in Delhi NCR,” he said.