India, Oct. 3 -- Deep inside Gadoli Market on Pataudi road, small crowds had gathered outside at least four warehouses on Gali No. 8 on October 1. People had come from across Gurugram and beyond, hoping to procure firecrackers to fill Ravana effigies for Dussehra and for the upcoming Diwali festivities. While the shutters of warehouses were closed, agents loitering nearby approached customers, whispering about alternatives.

Last year, the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR), expressing concern over the air quality in the region. While it reaffirmed this judgment in April this year, citing the "horrible" air quality in the region, it is now hearing a plea challe...