The Supreme Court has suggested that Virat Kohli be involved in a campaign aimed at raising awareness about pollution, particularly in light of ongoing violations related to firecracker sales. Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale highlighted that previous orders have become largely theoretical, as infractions persist. The court emphasised the importance of engaging the youth in this initiative.

During the proceedings, petitioner Gopal Sankaranarayanan informed the court that the government requested an additional two weeks to complete consultations, even as firecrackers continued to be sold without restrictions. The Supreme Court is set to address the permissible barium content in firecrackers following the Diwali festival, alongside other pollution-related issues linked to these products.

Uttara Babbar, representing petitioner Arjun Gopal, raised concerns over misleading labelling of firecrackers marketed as ‘green’. She stated that there is currently no reliable method, such as a QR code, to verify the authenticity of these products.

Health Risks Associated with Firecracker Use

Amicus curiae Aparajita Singh presented alarming evidence regarding the health risks posed by firecrackers. She explained that the combustion of firecrackers releases hazardous particulate matter (PM), which can infiltrate the lungs and bloodstream, potentially affecting various organs, including the brain. Singh noted a troubling trend among Delhi’s chest specialists, who have observed deteriorating lung health in non-smokers, including adolescents.

Singh highlighted that in the 1980s, 90 per cent of lung cancer patients were smokers, whereas now non-smokers constitute half of such cases. She indicated that while green crackers are marketed as emitting lower levels of pollutants, the actual products available in the market do not meet these claims.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has recommended that state authorities conduct surprise inspections of firecracker manufacturing facilities and sales points to ensure compliance with approved formulations and emission standards.

Concerns Over Green Crackers and Air Quality

The court was informed that air quality in Delhi deteriorated significantly after the Dussehra festival, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) rising sharply. Despite a ban on conventional firecrackers, many are still sold under the guise of being environmentally friendly, with many lacking the necessary QR codes for verification.

Singh pointed out that previous reports indicated that QR codes on some products were fraudulent. She argued that even if the court were to lift the ban on green crackers, there would be no reliable means to confirm their authenticity. Furthermore, green crackers are not entirely free of pollution, as they still emit considerable amounts of harmful pollutants.

The court referenced a prior observation stating that green crackers should not be permitted until it could be assured that their pollution levels were negligible. Singh argued that the government has not provided adequate studies to justify any relaxation of restrictions, especially given the severe air quality issues in the Delhi-NCR region.

Government’s Response and Court’s Stance

Representatives from the Delhi government acknowledged the persistent air pollution problem and outlined measures being implemented to combat it. These include stricter vehicle emission standards and the deployment of anti-smog guns at construction sites. However, the court questioned the effectiveness of these measures, particularly the operational status of air quality monitoring stations.

The court also pressed the government on its enforcement actions regarding firecracker sales and the presence of illegal products in the market. It underscored the necessity for a robust enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance with existing regulations.

While the bench acknowledged the public’s desire to celebrate festivals, it expressed reluctance towards imposing a total ban on firecrackers. The court called for public awareness campaigns, suggesting that influential figures like Virat Kohli could play a key role in educating the youth about the dangers of pollution. The court reserved its decision on whether to maintain or relax existing restrictions on firecracker sales.

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