New Delhi, Oct. 30 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for not adequately enforcing curbs on the sale and use of firecrackers, but reiterated its position that a complete ban was not the solution to the problem of pollution during the festive season. The top court indicated that it was likely to allow the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for a limited period on specified days this Diwali, though it reserved its order on a fresh interim arrangement. It noted that the three-day relaxation granted for the festival in October 2025 was a one-time measure that could not automatically be extended. Diwali falls on November 8 this year. A bench of justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale spoke about the public sentiment attached to Diwali celebrations but stressed that authorities could not use festive enthusiasm as an excuse for failing to enforce firecracker restrictions. "We also understand the sentiment of the public. Somebody wants to celebrate. Therefore, we are not inclined to impose a complete ban because, again, it will have a spiralling effect. But then, having said that, please don't push us to take a very harsh stand on this matter," the bench observed, pointing out that the authorities must demonstrate tangible action rather than merely promise better enforcement. The court said that it was not asking the authorities to prevent people from celebrating Diwali but to ensure that firecrackers were used responsibly and only within the permitted window. It suggested that officials should concentrate their enforcement efforts on the designated days, even if that meant forgoing their own festival celebrations to monitor compliance, issue challans, cancel licences, and prosecute violators. "During festivals, enthusiasm among the public is high. They are normal people. We cannot file cases against them, but what you can do is ensure our orders are implemented.Change of mind of public will take time. We have different people.children, women etc. We have to take care of everybody.Every year we pass orders. It becomes very academic," it said. The hearing brought into focus a recurring problem in the Capital's battle against winter pollution: the gap between restrictions imposed by the courts and their enforcement in the marketplace and on the ground. The bench sought details of inspections, seizures and other action taken under previous orders, making it clear that claims of preparedness would carry little weight without evidence of their impact. "After our order last year, what did you actually do? See now, otherwise, there is no point in passing orders and issuing all these conditions, unless on the ground you really give effect to it. It becomes near mockery then," the bench remarked. The court's reluctance to impose a blanket prohibition follows its September 30 decision to permit specified next-generation green firecracker chains, or laris, subject to prescribed safeguards, while keeping the question of barium-containing crackers open for further scientific assessment. The bench said at the time that a total ban would hurt public sentiments, while unrestricted bursting throughout the day would seriously affect children, the elderly and the sick. To be sure, questions remain on whether the permitted products are genuinely less polluting. There is no evidence from previous years that using green firecrackers in place of conventional ones has blunted the spike in pollution during Diwali. The proceedings arise from a 2015 petition filed on behalf of three minors seeking a blanket ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, citing the harmful effects of air pollution on children and other vulnerable groups....