India SC allows time-restricted firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, defers barium ruling

India's Supreme Court declined to impose a blanket ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR ahead of Diwali, permitting their use only during specified hours and mandating eco-friendly, licensed products. The court deferred a decision on barium content to October 15, leaving regulatory uncertainty for manufacturers and local authorities. This balances health concerns with cultural practice but does not resolve the underlying air-quality dispute.