NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court has ordered ban on sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during the upcoming festive season of Diwali. 

A bench headed by Justice AK Sikri had on 6th October reserved its order on a plea seeking restoration of the apex courtÂs last year order banning the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. 

The top court, through its 11th November order last year, had suspended all licences which permit sale of fireworks, wholesale and retail within the territory of NCR. 

Later, on 12th September, the apex court had temporarily lifted its earlier order and permitted sale of firecrackers. 

During the hearing on the plea seeking restoration of last yearÂs order, the Central Pollution Control Board had supported the application. 

The apex court had last month temporarily lifted its earlier order suspending licences for sale of fire crackers, saying a complete ban would be an extreme step and a graded approach was needed to curb pollution caused by them.

Those who had already bought firecrackers can still burst them.

In November last year, the court had stopped the sale of fireworks within the National Capital Region, which includes Delhi and nearby areas, following a petition flagging the alarming rise in pollution levels after Diwali.

Last month, the court temporarily suspended the ban and allowed the sale of crackers, saying a complete ban would be an Âextreme step and a Âgraded approach was needed to tackle pollution.

That verdict will now only be effective from November 1. The court today said it wants to test the effect of banning firecrackers on air quality after Diwali, the festival of lights when millions across India celebrate by bursting crackers and lighting lamps.

Each year, the festival leaves the air in Delhi thick with deadly smog and suspended particles and residents complaining of breathlessness and lung difficulties.

Last Diwali, the pollution level in Delhi was said to be the worst in 10 years.