India, Oct. 12 -- The Delhi-NCR states on Friday requested the Supreme Court to permit the bursting of green firecrackers for limited durations during major festivals between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali, 11:45 pm and 12:30 am on Christmas and New Year's Eve, and for one hour on Gurpurab.

Appearing for the Delhi-NCR states, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation and the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) will carry out periodic inspections of cracker manufacturers to ensure that only approved green firecrackers are produced and sold.

He added that manufacturers must clearly specify the quantity and formulation of green crackers, and proposed that no ...