Noida/Delhi: Three days before the Supreme Court-approved three-day sales window for “green crackers” was to begin, the National Capital Region was already grappling with illegal sales. From the historic lanes of Old Delhi to the bustling markets of Noida and Ghaziabad, traders and street vendors were openly selling varieties of firecrackers and brazenly flouting the apex court’s directions, exposing massive enforcement failure and administrative lawlessness.
HT’s spot investigations in key markets of Delhi-NCR – including Sadar Bazaar, Jama Masjid, Lajpat Nagar, and the suburban cities of Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad – revealed a similar scene: a thriving, unregulated trade in pyrotechnics, where the “green” label had been turned into a misleading marketing gimmick meant to mislead customers and a ban on traditional was casually printed on the packaging to eliminate that. Fireworks.
The findings highlight a region-wide collapse of the regulatory framework designed to protect NCR’s hazardous winter air quality. The Supreme Court’s October 15 order had carved out a narrow, carefully controlled path to Diwali: only certified “green crackers” could be sold, and that too only during a strict 72-hour period from October 18 to 20. Nevertheless, on 16 October, a fair of contraband goods was held in the market.
In market after market, vendors displayed boxes marked “Green Crackers,” “Pollution Free,” “Eco-Friendly,” or “Go Green.” Small firecrackers such as fuljhadi (sparklers), chakri (ground spinners), anar (vases), laadi (bomb garland), sutli bombs (atomic bombs) as well as colorful matchsticks and impact stones – the markets offered a plethora of options, with varying prices. 20 more 800, provided you know where to find them.
However, almost none of these had the mandatory QR codes of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) or the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), which certify a product’s compliance. Of the dozens of different types of crackers purchased by HT, only two were actually “green crackers”. Of course, as per the Supreme Court order, “green crackers” should also not be sold until at least Saturday.
“It is written on the box – see, ‘Green Revolution’. These do not cause pollution,” said a vendor outside Gate No. 3 of Jama Masjid, whose stall was surrounded by children begging for alms on display. His confidence, like that of hundreds of other sellers, arose from the almost complete absence of enforcement.
In Noida, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida
While violations were widespread, the situation in NCR’s satellite towns highlighted a different dimension of the problem: the plight of licensed traders trapped in administrative paralysis and policy vacuum.
In Noida’s Sector 18 market, the scene was comparatively quiet but still illegal. Vendors acknowledged that they have not received any official notification but are still selling “children’s crackers”, which they believe are less harmful. “We don’t keep big bombs or heavy fireworks. Only small items for children,” said one trader, reflecting widespread ambiguity about what is actually allowed.
The confusion was even more pronounced in Ghaziabad and Greater Noida, where the formal licensing process seemed to be at a standstill. A vendor in Greater Noida claimed that his crackers were “safe and eco-friendly”, but admitted that he could not open his shop without written approval, a document that had not materialized.
This bureaucratic hurdle has created a crisis for legitimate traders. Ashutosh Gupta, head of the Firecracker Association in Ghaziabad, left no stone unturned in his assessment. “There is complete mismanagement. Despite the Supreme Court order, the Ghaziabad administration has not yet issued any advisory or instructions,” he said. He alleged that while licensed shopkeepers face harassment and have their stock confiscated “for personal use” by authorities, illegal sellers operate with impunity. “Due to this delay, genuine traders are suffering huge losses while illegal vendors are openly selling firecrackers on the footpath in front of Ramlila Maidan,” Gupta said.
This was echoed by a trader in Greater Noida, who confirmed that despite the Supreme Court’s relaxation, “no license has been issued and the police are warning us not to stock anything.”
The official response from the authorities of Gautam Buddha Nagar (which includes Noida and Greater Noida) exposed the procedural web. Additional CP (Law and Order) Rajeev Narayan Mishra said the police are “currently examining the Supreme Court order” and the process of issuing licenses “has already started”, adding that it is expected that licenses will begin the next day. This delay of only 72 hours before the sales window left traders in an impossible situation.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) effectively abdicated the responsibility. Noida regional officer Ritesh Tiwari clarified that his department’s role was limited, noting that there are no firecracker manufacturing units in the district.
“The home department and the district administration will take the decision…if shops are allotted, the implementation…will be controlled by the district administration,” he said. This diffusion of responsibility created a perfect storm for non-enforcement, allowing the illicit market to flourish.
in plain sight
Almost everywhere HT journalists visited, they found that packaging was being used as camouflage. Sellers claimed legitimacy by simply labeling the boxes as “eco-friendly” or “green.” Some people even went a step further, printing fake NEERI logos or QR codes that lead to random web pages or promotional YouTube videos.
At a stall in Netaji Nagar, a father-son duo sold a variety of crackers, claiming all were “green” crackers. Upon inspection none had valid certification. “We got these from a supplier in Gurugram,” the son said. He said demand had increased last week. “We keep big bombs inside – twine bombs, nuclear bombs. They’re not displayed.”
When asked if he knew he was banned, he laughed. “Everyone sells them. Even the police know. They pass by, see the carts, but no one stops us.” He admitted that he did not have a license.
In another market in Lajpat Nagar, some small boxes were on display at a temporary stall. The shopkeeper displayed packets of Fuljhadi and Chakri and claimed, “Only green crackers for children.” Again, none of these had QR codes.
They later revealed a hidden slab under the counter filled with large pyrotechnics. He said, “We brought these from Jaipur two months ago. Everyone sells; no one has stopped us.”
Violations are widespread and often committed in front of authorities. In Old Delhi, where the firecracker trade has flourished for generations, all the streets of Sadar Bazaar and Jama Masjid were buzzing with activity. Boxes of loaded bombs, pomegranate fountains and chakri wheels were replaced rapidly.
Despite alleged vigilance, no strictness was seen. Many vendors said they had seen police patrols passing but were never questioned.
In Greater Kailash, some shops claimed that they were only selling “noise makers” and “pop crackers”, describing them as “eco-friendly”. The boxes had no QR codes, just bright stickers that read “pollution free” and “no fireworks.” “We don’t want trouble,” said a vendor in GK-1. “Genuine green crackers are difficult to find. They are only with wholesalers in Hisar.”
A similar scene was seen in CR Park and Sarojini Nagar. Vendors walked from carts, through streets or through subway exits, keeping their stock hidden in bags or under tables.
“I don’t know what’s legal and what’s not,” said a vendor near the Sarojini Nagar metro station, holding out a box labeled Original Wonder-Big Sound with a small green sticker on it. “These are green crackers – made from dust and eco-friendly materials. My friend brought them from Noida.” There was no certification on the box.
This shamelessness was not limited to Delhi only. In Gurugram, during checks in sectors including 31, 46 and Sushant Lok, banned firecrackers were found hidden in sacks under tables or behind lamps and light displays, indicating a conscious effort to hide the most serious violations while still catering to high demand.
At its core, however, is an insatiable appetite for fireworks. Diwali is the biggest business opportunity of the year for sellers. For families, especially children, it remains tied to tradition. The Supreme Court may have opened a narrow window for “green” celebrations, but in the markets, that window is already wide open – and the rules ended in smoke.
