NationalThursday, 3 September 2026·Hindu Tamil Thisai
Supreme Court allows low-barium firecracker test firing in 4 cities; key pollution case facts
The Supreme Court permitted test firing of low-barium firecrackers in Delhi, Chennai, Bhopal and Kolkata and asked the Centre to file results in 3 weeks.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In September 2026, the Supreme Court allowed test firing of low-barium modern firecrackers in Delhi, Chennai, Bhopal and Kolkata, and directed the Union government to file the test report within 3 weeks.
Key specifics
- The bench comprised Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale.
- The case included a petition by Arjun Gopal seeking a nationwide ban on firecrackers.
- The Centre said the test firing had approval from the Explosives Control Organisation and the Central Pollution Control Board.
- NEERI recommended firecrackers with sound below 125 decibels.
- The court permitted trials in 4 cities: Delhi, Chennai, Bhopal and Kolkata.
Exam lens
Polity and environment match-the-following, Supreme Court bench, 125 decibels, 3-week report, 4-city test firing — TNPSC may ask which institution recommended the low-noise limit or which cities were named.