Fireworks banned in capital of India ahead of Diwali.

India Supreme Court has banned  fireworks in Delhi ahead of Diwali, the festival of Lights.

The court said it wanted to test if banning fireworks would make a difference to Delhi's air quality, ranked among the worst in the world.The ban on the sale and distribution of firecrackers will last until 1 November. Diwali falls on 18 October.

The  decision came in response to several petitions, asking for a restoration of the ban it had first ordered in November 2016, before temporarily lifting it in September.However those who have already bought fireworks will be able to set them off.

2016's ban on the "possession, stocking and selling" of fireworks was ordered only after Diwali, when the city's air quality had already reached hazardous levels.

There have been several campaigns in the past asking people to use fewer fireworks during the festival, but these have not been very successful.