New Delhi, Oct 23 (KNN) Uncertainty prevailing in the minds of firecrackers industry over the Supreme Court decision on the sale of firecrackers has finally been cleared as the top court has allowed the sale and use of firecrackers with certain conditions.

In its verdict, the top court has not banned the sale of firecrackers rather has restricted its use to tackle concerns about deadly pollution in Delhi and other cities.

In a bid to tackle air pollution, the Supreme Court has allowed the use of safer firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali next month.

The Supreme Court's verdict came in wake of a plea seeking a ban on manufacturing and sale of firecrackers across the country to curb air pollution.

While passing the verdict, the bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, said “In Delhi, crackers will be allowed only in designated spots which need to be identified within a week.”

“Only licensed traders can sell firecrackers that too safer ones with reduced emission and permitted chemicals”, the judges said.

Also the top court has restricted the online sale of crackers; the bench said “if they are, such e-commerce sites will be hauled up for contempt.”

Taking in consideration the noise pollution, the court said that crackers that are within noise pollution limits set in July 2005 verdict will be allowed.  Also the court has banned the "Ladi" or chain firecrackers as they create lots of noise.

Also, on Christmas and New Year eve, firecrackers will be allowed between 11.55 pm and 12.30 am, said Judges AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan.

On October 9 last year, the court had temporarily banned the sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali. The ban was an experiment to examine its effect on the pollution levels, the judges had said.

In hearings, the court had noted that Article 21 of the constitution on the Right to Life- a plea used by the petitioners - applied to all, including cracker-makers, and a balance was needed while considering a countrywide ban.