Some urban residential pockets in the city remained silent as they adopted noiseless Deepavali celebrations on Thursday, thanks to State government’s call to make the festival of lights pollution-free this year.
The Hyderabad Collectorate had issued instructions to the local residents’ welfare associations requesting the denizens to celebrate a safe yet enjoyable Deepavali night. As per the instructions, the residents were asked to burst soundless fireworks and also provide protective masks for children and elderly. “In the best interest of those who celebrate this joyous occasion, residents are advised to consider celebrating Deepavali responsibly,” the note circulated among the residents’ welfare associations said.
The instructions proved to be effective with seven residential pockets – Kondapur, Kukatpally, Malkajgiri, Dilshuknagar, Masab Tank and Mehdipatnam – adopting the said measures. At Kukatpally three residents’ welfare associations, including Kukatpally Housing Board, agreed to go soundless. At Kondapur, considered the IT residential area, six associations, including three gated communities, had declared to celebrate a sound-free festival on Thursday. Two residential colonies in the 19 colony-strong Maljagiri celebrated soundless Deepavali too.
Some areas in Mehdipatnam, a thickly-populated residential area, fireworks that illuminate the sky too were not used. Rooftop celebrations with fireworks that are shot up into the sky had caused injuries the previous year. The Collectorate had also issued instructions against bursting crackers on roads. In 2016, 40% of the burn injuries caused on Deepavali night were by firecrackers that were burst on roads.
As some proactive parties had decided to go soundless, Deepavali eve too was silent in certain parts of the city. “ On the day of the festival, crackers that make very little noise were used by some residents. Chain combustion crackers were not used by anyone,” said L. Keshav Rao of Madapur Residents’ Welfare Association.
