The Delhi Government’s claim of a strictly-monitored green crackers sale ahead of Diwali has fallen flat on its face. A visit to two designated areas for the sale of firecrackers — Sadar Bazaar and near Red Fort Metro Gate No 2 — reveals that eco-friendly Diwali is more paperwork than practice.
- Hundreds of small vendors, at both the markets, were found selling firecrackers openly, many on temporary push carts, with not a trace of enforcement in sight. Despite repeated assurances by the Government that only QR-coded, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)-approved green crackers will be sold, what is happening in these markets is the exact opposite.
When asked about “green crackers,” not a single seller had any idea what the term meant. Amir, a vendor in Sadar Bazaar, looked puzzled when questioned about the difference between regular and green firecrackers. “All crackers are the same,” he said. Another shopkeeper, Ehsaan, confidently showed a firecracker that emitted green light when burnt, thinking that was what green meant.
While most crackers on sale have words such as eco-friendly, pollution-free or safe for the environment printed on them, the real hallmark of authenticity — a scannable QR code issued by the NEERI — is missing from almost every packet.
The Delhi Police and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have claimed that strict checks are being conducted. Only 103 sellers, they said, have been officially approved for green cracker sales, while 56 applications were still under process. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) also stated that the sales would be allowed only at open or semi-open sites to ensure safety and monitoring.
But in the narrow lanes of Sadar Bazaar and the crowded stalls near Red Fort, reality was far from the claims of authorities. When asked about enforcement, a senior police officer insisted that patrolling teams had been deployed and that packaging was being checked for QR codes. “We have clear orders to seize any non-compliant stock,” he said.
Contrary to the officer’s claims, no police or pollution control personnel were visible in Sadar Bazaar or near Red Fort. No inspections were taking place. The so-called designated areas were functioning like any ordinary market. On the ground, the enforcement is invisible.
Sadar Bazaar, one of Delhi’s oldest trading hubs, continues to function as usual — a clear reflection of how loosely the rules are applied once festive business begins.
The Delhi Government, DPCC, and Delhi Police all claim to be acting under the Supreme Court’s directives. But what is unfolding on the ground is a clear failure of coordination and willpower. The green cracker policy, meant to strike a balance between celebration and clean air, has been reduced to a hollow slogan.
In the end, Delhi’s markets tell the real story, no QR codes, no awareness, no enforcement. Only the same banned crackers wrapped in new labels. The “green” in this year’s Diwali is only on paper.
