Anticipating a rise in pollution levels as winter approaches, many States, including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Tamil Nadu, have taken proactive measures by imposing an immediate ban on the production, storage, sale, and use of firecrackers.
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With no relaxation announced yet, people should brace for a cracker-less Deepavali. The rules have been laid out with most States permitting the bursting of green crackers between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. in view of the worsening air pollution situation.
Delhi
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) order banned the manufacturing, storage, selling, delivery through online platforms, and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers in the National Capital Territory of Delhi until January 1, 2025. Only “green crackers,” which are accessible from harmful substances like barium and lead, are permitted for sale and use. Firecrackers will be allowed on Deepavali (October 31, 2024) from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; for Gurpurab (November 15, 2024), the timings are 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; on Christmas Eve (December 25-26, 2024) and New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2024–January 1, 2025), firecrackers can be used from 11:55 p.m. to 12:30 a.m..
Maharashtra and West Bengal
Maharashtra and West Bengal have also followed suit by enforcing the ban and restricting the sale and use of all firecrackers, except for certified “green” alternatives, in line with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives. These green crackers are designed to emit 30% less pollution than conventional ones. However, enforcement has been a challenge, as people often resort to smuggling crackers from neighbouring States where the ban may not be as strictly enforced.
Punjab
Following the orders of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, issued periodically for compliance regarding firecracker use, the state government, exercising powers delegated by the Central Government under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, has implemented prohibitions, restrictions and regulations on the sale and use of firecrackers in Punjab. The bursting of firecrackers is allowed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Deepavali (October 31), from 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. and again from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Gurpurab (November 15), from 11:55 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s eve.
Haryana
In Haryana’s Gurugram, a similar ban has been enforced, albeit with an exception for green crackers on Deepavali night. The order, issued on Wednesday, specifies that only “green” firecrackers, which are less harmful to the environment, may be used during specific festivals. These crackers can be used for a limited time on Deepavali, Gurpurab, and Christmas. On Deepavali and Gurpurab, green crackers will be allowed between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., while on Christmas Eve, they can be used from 11.55 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.
Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has issued comprehensive guidelines to control pollution from firecrackers during Deepavali’s upcoming celebrations. According to the advisory, which seeks to manage noise and pollution levels during the festival, the designated time slots to burst firecrackers are between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. To address firecrackers’ environmental and health impacts, the advisory says TNPCB is collaborating with various government departments to educate the public on safe practices.
Mumbai
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation [BMC] administration has issued a notification urging Mumbaikars to celebrate to celebrate Deepavali in an environment-friendly manner. In a press statement released on Monday (October 28, 2024), the BMC said that firecrackers should be burst with minimum air and noise pollution, advisable to use noiseless firecrackers. “To keep a check on air and noise pollution, timing for the bursting crackers has been limited till 10 pm in Mumbai on the day of Diwali. Citizens are urged to burst crackers that would cause minimum sound and air pollution,” BMC officials said.
Karnataka
Following directions from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), the Bengaluru City Police have begun filing cases against vendors who have been advertising, selling, and delivering non-green crackers through online platforms. The KSPCB has allowed the bursting of only green crackers between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. from October 31 to November 2. Manufacture, stocking and sale of all non-green crackers have been banned in the State.
Bihar
The Bihar government has banned the sale and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers, including green crackers, in Patna and three other cities of Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur to curb air pollution during Diwali .According to a circular issued by the Patna district administration on Thursday, “A decision banned the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers, including green crackers, in Patna and three other cities -- Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur -- to curb air pollution during Diwali, has been taken following a directive of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to maintain ambient air quality in all cities.” “The bursting of firecrackers led to a lot of air and noise pollution as they released toxic air pollutants and particulates (dust). These produce light to dense clouds of smoke, affecting eyes, throat, lungs, heart and skin of the people,” the order said.
Published - October 22, 2024 04:02 pm IST