Sivakasi, the heart of India’s firecracker industry, is buzzing with excitement after the Supreme Court announced a partial lift on the blanket ban on fireworks in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) for Deepavali. The apex court’s decision, delivered on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, allows the sale and use of “green” firecrackers under strict regulations for four days, from October 18 to 21.
Industry leaders are jubilant. P. Ganesan, president of the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association (TANFAMA), hailed the ruling as a “most joyous moment.” He emphasized that permitting green crackers in Delhi-NCR will significantly invigorate manufacturers and create thousands of new jobs within the sector.
While Delhi-NCR accounts for roughly 15% of India’s domestic firecracker market, Ganesan noted that fresh supplies from Sivakasi might not reach the region in time for this year’s Deepavali, which falls on October 20. He suggested that existing stock with dealers in North India could potentially be rerouted to meet the demand.
T. Kannan, General Secretary of The Indian Fireworks Manufacturers’ Association (TIFMA), echoed the sentiment, stating that the Supreme Court’s judgment offers a vital lifeline to the struggling industry. He asserted that the ruling validates their long-standing argument that firecrackers are not the primary cause of environmental pollution in Delhi-NCR. Kannan believes that the substantial market represented by Delhi-NCR, comparable in size to two states, will drive increased production and employment in the coming year.
A. Asaithambi of the Sivakasi Fireworks Manufacturers’ Association (SIFMA) sees the decision as a crucial step forward for an industry that has faced numerous legal battles. However, he also pointed out the immediate logistical challenges, explaining that the eleventh-hour judgment means the industry won’t fully benefit this year, as obtaining necessary licenses for cracker shops in Delhi-NCR will take several days.