Punjab Govt Issues Orders on Bursting Crackers: Only Green ones allowed, strict timings fixed
As the festive season of Diwali, Gurupurab, Christmas and New Year draws closer, the Punjab government has come out with a detailed order on the sale and bursting of firecrackers. The state has permitted only green crackers — and that too for limited hours on specific days.
The directions, issued by Priyank Bharti, Secretary, Department of Science, Technology and Environment, follow repeated warnings by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal on the health hazards of pollution from crackers. The order cites risks to children, the elderly and those with respiratory illnesses, while also stressing the need for uniformity in policy across India.
According to the notification, the following timings have been fixed for bursting crackers in Punjab:
Diwali (October 20, 2025, Monday): From 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Gurupurab (November 5, 2025, Wednesday): From 4:00 am to 5:00 am and 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Christmas Eve (December 25–26, 2025, Thursday–Friday): From 11:55 pm to 12:30 am
New Year Eve (December 31, 2025 – January 1, 2026): From 11:55 pm to 12:30 am
The order makes it clear that only green crackers — those free of barium salts and other toxic compounds like antimony, lithium, arsenic and lead — will be allowed. The sale is restricted to licensed traders, while e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart have been barred from processing any online firecracker orders for Punjab.
“No joined crackers (laris) will be permitted, and any firecracker exceeding prescribed decibel levels will not be allowed,” the notification stated. Authorities have been directed to encourage community-based firecracker celebrations in designated fields or open areas to prevent pollution from spreading across residential neighbourhoods.
Talking to TrueScoop, Priyank Bharti confirmed that all Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to strictly enforce these directions. District Magistrates have been empowered under the Explosives Rules, 2008, to take action against violators, while the Punjab Pollution Control Board will carry out real-time monitoring of air quality in major cities.
The state government has also asked police to ensure only licensed green crackers are sold and used, while Deputy Commissioners will lead awareness drives to highlight the health impact of firecrackers.
The notification concludes with a warning: any violation of these directions will attract immediate penal action under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, and other applicable laws.