Bengaluru: Firecrackers will be permitted across Karnataka only between 8 pm and 10 pm during Deepavali celebrations, Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced on Friday, October 30, 2026. The state has introduced the two-hour restriction in line with the Supreme Court’s directions on regulating firecracker use amid concerns over rising air and noise pollution.
With Deepavali approaching, the minister has also urged people to use certified green crackers and follow safety precautions while celebrating. He said the state government would communicate the restrictions to police officials and district administrations to ensure they are implemented across Karnataka.
Reddy instructed the Additional Chief Secretary to write to the police commissioner and district commissioners, conveying the guidelines and asking them to take steps for enforcement. He emphasised that the permitted two-hour window must be followed strictly.
The announcement comes as the Supreme Court has called for a balanced approach to firecracker use, ruling out both a complete ban and unrestricted bursting throughout the day. The Indian Express+1
Firecrackers allowed only during a two-hour window
Under the restriction announced by the Karnataka government, residents can burst firecrackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm during the festival.
The two-hour window is intended to limit the period during which fireworks contribute to air and noise pollution. Reddy said the timing follows the Supreme Court’s directions and that the instructions must reach senior officials in the administrative and law enforcement machinery.
The state has asked the Additional Chief Secretary to communicate the guidelines to the police commissioner and district commissioners. This is intended to ensure that police and district-level authorities are aware of the restrictions and can take appropriate steps to enforce them.
The announcement applies across Karnataka, rather than being limited to Bengaluru. Residents in different districts are therefore expected to follow the prescribed timings.
The restriction also means that people planning celebrations at homes, residential layouts and public spaces will need to organise their firecracker use within the permitted period.
Ramalinga Reddy urges use of certified green crackers
Alongside the timing restriction, Reddy has encouraged residents to use certified green crackers.
Green crackers are designed to reduce emissions compared with conventional fireworks. Their use is part of wider efforts to limit the environmental impact of firecracker celebrations, although it does not mean that they are pollution-free.
The minister’s appeal comes amid growing concerns about the effect of firecracker smoke on air quality, particularly during the festival season when large-scale bursting can increase particulate pollution.
He said the scale of firecracker use had changed considerably over the years. Recalling his childhood, Reddy said fireworks were used in much smaller quantities during Deepavali.
“When I was a child, very few crackers went off during the festival. Today, people spend heavily on firecrackers and set them off in huge volumes, and the smoke has pushed pollution levels up,” he said.
His comments highlighted the concern that increased spending and larger volumes of fireworks can add to the pollution generated during the celebrations.
The minister has not asked people to stop celebrating Deepavali. Instead, he has urged them to observe the festival within the prescribed timings and use approved products.
Supreme Court calls for a balanced approach
The Karnataka government’s announcement follows recent observations by the Supreme Court on regulating firecracker use during the festival season.
The court has said it would not impose a complete ban on firecrackers, but would also not permit their unrestricted use throughout the day. It has called for a middle ground that allows celebrations while taking into account the impact of fireworks on the environment and public health.
During the hearing, the bench observed that a total ban could affect people’s sentiments, while allowing firecrackers to be burst at any time could have serious consequences for other living beings, including children, elderly people and those who are unwell.
“We need to find a solution whereby we can give a specified time, and we can specify what are the crackers to be used,” the court said.
The proceedings were part of the ongoing legal consideration of firecracker-related pollution and the conditions under which certain types of fireworks may be permitted.
The Supreme Court’s earlier directions in the matter have also focused on reduced-emission and green crackers, alongside compliance with applicable noise and safety standards. The Indian Express+1
Why the restrictions matter for air quality
Firecrackers release smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere. The resulting pollution can affect people across age groups, with children, senior citizens and those with existing respiratory conditions among the groups that may be particularly vulnerable.
The impact can become more pronounced when large quantities of fireworks are used over a short period. Limiting the hours during which crackers can be burst is one way authorities seek to restrict the duration of this pollution.
Reddy said the increase in the scale of celebrations had contributed to environmental concerns. His appeal for certified green crackers is aimed at encouraging people to consider the pollution generated by their choice of fireworks.
However, the use of green crackers does not remove the need to follow the prescribed time limits and other applicable safety requirements.
Minister asks children and young people to celebrate safely
Reddy also appealed to children and young people to exercise caution while bursting crackers.
Firecracker-related accidents can cause burns and injuries, particularly when fireworks are handled carelessly or used at close range. The minister urged people to observe safety precautions and remain within the rules.
Parents and guardians can also help by supervising children during celebrations and ensuring that fireworks are handled responsibly.
The minister said the government was not against people enjoying the festival. His message, he stressed, was that celebrations should take place within the established regulations.
The appeal is particularly relevant for families and neighbourhood groups that organise collective firecracker celebrations. They will need to ensure that their activities do not extend beyond the permitted two-hour period.
Police and district officials to receive enforcement instructions
The state government’s communication to police and district administrations is intended to ensure that the restrictions are not confined to an announcement but are conveyed to the officials responsible for implementation.
The Additional Chief Secretary has been asked to write to the police commissioner and district commissioners with the relevant guidelines.
These officials form an important part of the enforcement chain, given that the restriction applies throughout Karnataka. Local authorities will be expected to communicate the permitted timings and take steps to ensure compliance.
Residents should follow any additional instructions issued by their respective district or city authorities. They should also check that the crackers they purchase carry the required certification if they intend to use green fireworks.
What Karnataka residents should remember this Deepavali
The main instruction announced by the state government is that firecrackers can be burst only between 8 pm and 10 pm. Reddy has also encouraged the use of certified green crackers and urged people, particularly children and young people, to celebrate safely.
The announcement follows the Supreme Court’s call for regulated firecracker use rather than either a blanket ban or unrestricted celebrations.
As Deepavali approaches, residents across Karnataka will need to plan their celebrations around the prescribed hours and follow the guidelines communicated by local authorities. The government has said people can enjoy the festival, provided they respect the restrictions intended to address pollution and safety concerns.