NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has raised concerns over the firecracker ban being limited to Delhi, pointing out that air pollution is a serious issue in many other cities as well. A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran observed that if residents of the national capital are entitled to clean air, citizens in the rest of the country should enjoy the same right.

“Just because Delhi is the national capital, does that mean clean air should be ensured only there? Policies must be uniform everywhere. Delhi cannot be given special treatment,” the bench observed while hearing a petition filed by firecracker manufacturers challenging the ban in the capital.

The court will hear the matter in detail on September 22. Meanwhile, the bench has issued a notice to the Air Quality Management Commission on a plea seeking a nationwide ban on firecrackers.

The Supreme Court’s remarks come ahead of Diwali, usually celebrated in October or November. Bursting firecrackers and burning stubble in farmlands during this period significantly worsen air quality across northern India. Authorities had imposed a ban on firecrackers ahead of last year's Diwali.