India’s Supreme Court has temporarily banned the sale and distribution of firecrackers in the federal capital New Delhi ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in a bid to control escalating air pollution.

The court ruled on Monday that the ban would last till Nov 1, 13 days after Diwali.

But it declared that those who had already bought firecrackers would be allowed to set them off.

The order came in response to several petitions, including one by children, demanding a ban on polluting firecrackers which last year saw Delhi’s air reaching hazardous levels and the closure of all city schools for three days.

Around 50,000 tons of crackers are let off every year in Delhi on and around Diwali to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

"We are the most vulnerable when it comes to air pollution, especially from suspended particles and toxins from firecrackers,” stated the children’s petition, adding that these led to lung disease, asthma, bronchitis and cognitive impairment.