New Delhi, November 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has questioned whether a complete ban on firecracker sales in Delhi would ensure that the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains below 300 during the October-January pollution season, arguing that traders should not be made to bear the entire burden of pollution-control measures.
CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal said the organisation opposed pollution and supported clean air but maintained that firecrackers, used primarily during Diwali, should not be held solely responsible for Delhi’s deteriorating air quality.
He challenged authorities to provide a credible guarantee that the AQI would not cross 300 between October and January even if firecrackers were completely banned.
Goyal pointed to Delhi’s reported AQI levels of 350-400 on November 5, 6 and 7, before Diwali celebrations on November 8, and questioned why the city’s poor air quality on those days was not being addressed through a wider assessment of pollution sources.
The CTI chairman also highlighted stubble burning in neighbouring states as a major seasonal contributor to Delhi’s pollution, arguing that greater attention should be given to crop residue burning rather than repeatedly targeting firecracker traders.
The traders’ body said restrictions had serious economic consequences for manufacturers, retailers and small shopkeepers. It estimated that around one million people across the country were associated with the firecracker industry, including workers in Sivakasi and traders in Delhi and other markets.
According to the CTI, small retailers invest throughout the year and depend heavily on the 15-20 days around Diwali for a significant share of their annual earnings. Last-minute restrictions, it said, could wipe out their investments even when they had obtained licences and stocked approved products, including green crackers.
Instead of a blanket prohibition, the organisation called for a regulated approach involving reduced firecracker use, designated time slots and promotion of approved green crackers.
The CTI also questioned what it described as the selective enforcement of environmental restrictions during Hindu festivals, citing curbs or concerns relating to Diwali, Holi, Chhath, Kanwar Yatra and Ganpati idol immersion. It argued that environmental regulations should be applied consistently across occasions.
Goyal said pollution control required scientific and year-round measures that balanced environmental protection with livelihoods, business interests and cultural traditions.
The CTI’s claims about the relative contribution of firecrackers and stubble burning reflect the organisation’s position in the debate; the statement did not provide independent data establishing that firecrackers were not a significant contributor to Delhi’s pollution.
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