New Dehli: The Supreme Court has allowed residents of Delhi-NCR to burst certified green crackers on November 7 and 8, 2026, subject to strict time restrictions. According to the court’s directions, firecrackers can be burst only during two time slots on both days: from 6 am to 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm. The permission follows the conditions laid down by the Supreme Court in its order dated October 15 last year. The court has directed the authorities concerned to ensure strict compliance with its instructions.
Firecrackers Banned Near Hospitals and Schools
The Supreme Court has prohibited the bursting of firecrackers within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes and other notified silence zones. These areas will be designated as ‘No-Cracker Zones’. Authorities have been directed to mark the restricted areas clearly and inform the public about the ban. The 300-metre restriction will also apply to educational institutions to prevent noise and air pollution from affecting students and others in these areas.
Authorities Asked to Ensure Compliance
The Supreme Court has directed the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure that its orders are followed. The court has also stressed the need for special care to avoid inconvenience to people suffering from health conditions. The temporary relaxation will remain in force for two days, ending on November 8. The complete firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR will return from November 9, 2026.
Delhi Air Quality Plummets to ‘Very Poor’ Ahead of Diwali; No Rain Relief Forecast Till Nov 8
Air quality across the national capital witnessed a sharp decline on Monday morning as the Air Quality Index (AQI) plunged back into the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi registered an overall AQI of 312 at 9 am.
The sudden drop in air quality comes just days ahead of Diwali. The ITO area experienced severe smog, with its AQI climbing to 349 in the morning. This follows Sunday, November 1, when the city logged a 24-hour average AQI of 261, categorised as ‘poor’.
Weekly Air Forecast
Data from the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi indicates that atmospheric conditions will remain unfavourable. The AQI is forecasted to stay in the ‘poor’ zone on Monday and Tuesday before degrading further to ‘very poor’ on Wednesday. The six-day outlook shows no immediate respite for residents, with air quality expected to hover between the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories.
Weather Conditions and Temperature Trends
The meteorological department has predicted mainly clear skies for Monday, accompanied by morning mist. Maximum temperatures in the city are expected to range between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures will likely remain around 16 degrees Celsius. No rainfall warnings have been issued for the capital region until November 8.
Winter Restrictions Implemented
To combat the surge in pollution, the Delhi government implemented fresh winter pollution measures across Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday. The fixed-time restrictions include a ban on non-Delhi-registered BS6 vehicles entering the city, alongside a complete halt on outdoor construction work and dust-generating demolition activities to suppress smog formation.
