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India's highest judicial body has given the green light the sale and use of firecrackers considered lower-emission for the upcoming festive season, while air quality readings in capital Delhi enter the severe category.

Firecrackers have been prohibited in Delhi starting from 2020, because they greatly add to the annual air pollution crisis the metropolis experiences.

The so-called eco-friendly firecrackers, that the judiciary approved on this week, are designed to release twenty to thirty percent fewer harmful substances than conventional ones and produce minimal residue, according to their manufacturers.

Yet skeptics contend that even though reduced-risk, they still release dangerous particles into the atmosphere and adversely affect air quality.

Critical Air Quality Levels Recorded in Delhi

The top court's decision came on a occasion when air quality in Delhi were significantly above the recommended levels suggested by the World Health Organization.

According to the national pollution agency's data, the majority of areas of the city on that day early hours registered PM2.5 levels – minute particles in the air – between 300 and 400.

These small particulates are highly hazardous – they can penetrate far into the lungs and present significant health risks. In several of the worst-hit regions, the readings crossed the 400 threshold.

The official pollution index, when these levels cross 300, they can lead to lung diseases in individuals exposed for long periods. Levels above 400 can impact even healthy individuals and have serious impacts on vulnerable groups such as children, the aged and those with preexisting health conditions.

Recurring Environmental Issue in Northern India

Pollution is a annual crisis that Delhi and several additional parts of northern India face every winter.

The air quality deteriorates due to reduced wind speed, vehicular emissions and stubble burning in adjacent states.

And the widespread ignition of celebratory firecrackers during the festival exacerbates the condition. Even though there has been a prohibition on pyrotechnics for the previous half-decade, enforcement on the local level has been weak.

Locals often complain of the atmosphere being too hazardous to inhale on the day after the celebrations.

Experts say that this year we might see pollution levels deteriorate, especially since people are permitted to set off eco-friendly firecrackers.

Judicial Guidelines and Public Response

In Wednesday's ruling, the top court has additionally provided a list of detailed guidelines on when and how these firecrackers could be sold and used.

The court declared the sale would be allowed from Saturday and Monday from authorised outlets and the firecrackers could only be ignited in designated areas. The judicial body fixed a three-hour timeframe for its use, 60 minutes in the early hours and 120 minutes at evening.

The decision has generated varied responses on social media.

A number of have welcomed the decision, saying it allows them to fully observe the religious occasion.

Others, on the other hand, argue that enforcement of firecracker rules has previously been ineffective and allowing them could additionally worsen the city's pollution levels.

Official Actions to Combat Environmental Crisis

In the meantime, in an effort to combat rising pollution levels, the local administration on the previous day enforced the GRAP which prohibits all activities involving the utilization of solid fuels, as well as the operation of backup power sources for non-emergency services.