The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to examine whether restrictions on firecrackers could be partially relaxed during the upcoming Diwali season, particularly with regard to permissible noise limits.

A Bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale urged the CPCB to explore the possibility of allowing certain categories of firecrackers within specified noise limits. The Court stressed that the issue should be considered well in advance of Diwali rather than being taken up at the last moment.

“Please give some exception; we don’t want to rush it up just before Diwali,” the Bench observed.

The matter arises from a 2015 case concerning restrictions on firecracker use in Delhi and other northern States during the period when air pollution levels typically worsen between October and January.

In view of Delhi’s persistent air-quality concerns, the Supreme Court had earlier imposed stringent restrictions on the sale and use of firecrackers in the national capital. However, in 2025, the Court permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during Diwali for a limited period.

During the previous hearing on July 22, the Court had asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to obtain instructions from the CPCB on whether a limited relaxation could be considered for certain types of firecrackers, particularly in relation to noise restrictions.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, Bhati, appearing for the Union government, sought an adjournment. The Court granted the request but reiterated that the authorities should examine the possibility of relaxing the applicable noise limits ahead of the festival season.

The matter has now been adjourned for two weeks.