As air quality in several parts of India continues to deteriorate ahead of Diwali, some states and union territories have either banned the sale and use of crackers or set time limits for fireworks, which are one of the biggest contributors to air pollution.
Some states such as – Kerala, Delhi, Karnataka, and Punjab – have announced a complete ban on the bursting of firecrackers during the festive period.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said the order banning firecrackers containing barium binds every state and is not just limited to the Delhi-NCR region, which is reeling under severe air pollution. The clarification by the top court, which had in 2018 banned the bursting of conventional firecrackers to curb air and sound pollution, will have ramifications across the nation.
The top court had on October 23, 2018, directed that people across the country can burst firecrackers from 8 PM to 10 PM only on Diwali and other festivals and allowed the manufacture and sale of just “green crackers” which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals. It had carved out an exception for Christmas and New Year’s Eve saying firecrackers for these occasions will be burst between 11:55 PM and 12:30 AM, since these celebrations start at midnight. It also banned the manufacture, sale, and use of joined firecrackers, saying they cause “huge air, noise, and solid waste problems”. The apex court had said the noise and smoke emission limits will have to be approved by the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO).
As the Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the danger mark in northern India ahead of Diwali, here’s a list of states/union territories that have announced restrictions related to the use and sale of firecrackers:
Delhi
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai recently said in a press conference that all types of firecrackers will remain banned in the national capital during this year’s Diwali as well.
The ban also included the manufacturing, storage, sale, online delivery, and bursting of any type of firecrackers, Rai said, adding that the police in Delhi-NCR have been asked not to issue licenses for firecrackers.
Maharashtra
The Bombay High Court ordered municipal authorities and police to ensure that firecrackers only burst between 7 pm and 10 pm till Diwali and said citizens have to choose between a disease-free environment and bursting firecrackers during Diwali in Mumbai. A division bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice GS Kulkarni said while it was not going to order a ban on bursting of firecrackers, a balance needs to be struck considering the deteriorating air quality index (AQI) in the metropolis.
“We have to make a choice. Either we have a disease-free environment, or we burn firecrackers and celebrate the festival. Citizens have to decide now,” the court said, adding, “We are not banning it. We are not experts to understand if firecrackers impact the environment, and if they do, then up to what extent. We cannot straightaway say no bursting of firecrackers. That is for the government to consider.”
In Nagpur, fireworks are allowed only from 8pm to 10 pm while authorised firecracker shops can remain open till 11pm. Times of India reported that Police commissioner Amitesh Kumar issued the directions after holding a meet representatives of firecracker shops last week.
Karnataka
The Karnataka state government has directed officials to restrict the bursting of crackers this Deepawali festival between 8 pm and 10 pm only.
The pollution control board officials in Karnataka came down hard on sellers of non-eco-friendly crackers and constituted a special task force to ensure the sale of only ‘green’ crackers.
Punjab
The Punjab government announced that it will only allow the sale of ‘green’ crackers during limited hours on Diwali, Gurpurab, Christmas, and New Year. These crackers, which do not contain harmful compounds like barium salts and antimony, will be available through licensed traders
The Ludhiana administration has also issued an advisory allowing bursting firecrackers on Diwali, Guruparva, and Christmas. Firecrackers can be lit from 8 to 10 p.m. on Diwali and from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am on Christmas, according to orders issued by Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik.
West Bengal
The West Bengal has decided to sell only green crackers with QR codes this Diwali.
“We have set up four main markets in Kolkata, which are at Tala, Maidan, Behala and Kalikapur. A total of 44 shops will be set up in Tala all of which are permitted to sell green crackers,” Babla Roy, chairman of Sara Bangla, Aatishbaji Unnayan Samiti, told news agency ANI.
“Firecracker market will open from November 6 to November 12, with hours ranging from 10 am to 10 pm,” he added.
Bihar
The Bihar government has banned the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers, including green crackers, in the state capital Patna and three other cities — Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur — to curb air pollution during Diwali.
As for other cities and rural areas, only green crackers could be used during the festival, that too between 8 pm and 10 pm.
Kerala
The Kerala government has issued orders limiting the time allowed for bursting firecrackers during Diwali celebrations to two hours, between 8 pm and 10 pm.
The orders were issued based on the National Green Tribunal’s orders limiting the busting of crackers to control air pollution in cities with low air quality. The order also directed district magistrates and district police chiefs to ensure that only green firecrackers are used in celebrations.
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