The restrictions have been put in place keeping in mind both the coronavirus pandemic and increasing levels of air pollution
Representational image. News18
Ahead of festive season, especially Diwali on 4 November, several states have imposed restrictions on firecrackers and announced COVID-19 measures to check the spread of the virus. While some states have banned firecrackers, others have imposed partial ban on green crackers.
Here’s a look at some of the restrictions:
New Delhi
In the national capital, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has announced a total ban, till 1 January next year, on the sale and bursting of firecrackers. This year, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will perform the Diwali puja, which will be broadcast live, at the Thyagaraj Stadium. The stadium will also feature a replica of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Monday upheld the orders by the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court banning the sale of firecrackers in the national capital. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, while hearing a petition by several traders against the complete ban on the storage and sale of all kinds of firecrackers, said that the petitioners ought to approach the apex court or the NGT for any relief.
Uttar Pradesh
Ghaziabad will forbid movement of heavy vehicles from 29 October to 7 November.
As for bursting of firecrackers, the Uttar Pradesh government announced on 29 October that there will be a total ban on the sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers during upcoming festivities this year due to COVID-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) and all other cities where the ambient air quality falls under the ‘poor’ or higher category.
The order issued by the Uttar Pradesh home department stated, “Restrict use of firecrackers in cities where air quality is ‘moderate’ or below to green crackers only for not more than two hours. During Christmas and New Year, green crackers can be used from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am only where air quality is ‘moderate’ or lower.
As for use of firecrackers for reasons other than specified festivals, prior permission of the District Magistrate of the area will be required. It will be allowed for a limited period if permission is granted (based on the air quality).
Punjab
A two-hour window, from 8 to 10 pm, has been announced by the government for bursting firecrackers on Diwali and Gurupurb, with the caveat that only the sale and use of green crackers would be allowed.
Haryana
The Haryana government on Sunday imposed a total ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in its 14 districts that come under the National Capital Region with immediate effect.
“There will be a total ban on sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers in Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Mahendergarh, Nuh, Palwal, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak and Sonipat,” a government order on the regulation of sale and use of fire crackers in the state, read.
Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government has requested people to follow coronavirus guidelines and not venture into crowded spots. It also appealed to people to not burst firecrackers, stating that it would create problems for COVID-19 patients or people recovering from the virus and urged them to opt for celebrations with decorative lights.
The state government guidelines said: “Those affected by COVID-19 are likely to be troubled directly due to the air pollution caused by bursting of firecrackers. Considering this, people should avoid bursting firecrackers this year. Instead, they can light lamps on a big scale and celebrate the festival.”
West Bengal
The Calcutta High Court has forbidden the use, sale and purchase of all types of firecrackers, adding that the ruling covers all kinds of sparklers and other similar materials, regardless of the fact if their burning involves any light or sound being generated.
Madhya Pradesh
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned firecrackers in MP due to high levels of air pollution. However, people in areas with low pollution can burst green crackers for a period of two hours on Diwali.
Gujarat:
Negative COVID-19 RT-PCR tests, not older than 72 hours, are mandatory in Surat for all people entering from outside the state after Diwali.
Odisha
The Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government has ordered a blanket ban on firecrackers other than green crackers. In an order, the government stated, “Only ‘green fireworks’ are allowed for sale and use.” Earlier, the Orissa High Court had said that people can burst green firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only.
Assam
The Assam government also imposed a ban on firecrackers during Diwali, and has only permitted bursting green crackers for two hours between 8pm and 10pm.
Chhattisgarh
The Chhattisgarh government has allowed people to burst firecrackers during Diwali and Gurpurab for two hours from 8 pm to 10 pm; 6 am to 8 am on Chhath Puja, and 11.55 pm to 12.30 am on New Year and Christmas. The state government, however, directed the officials to strictly implement the National Green Tribunal’s orders regarding the use of firecrackers during the Diwali and New Year celebrations.
Karnataka
The Karnataka government has allowed the sale and bursting of green crackers only during Diwali. “Other than green crackers that have been permitted by the Supreme Court in its directions, no other crackers can be sold or burst,” an order signed by the Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar said.
Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu government has prohibited the sale of firecrackers containing Barium salts. The government further said that strict actions will be taken against the people who violate the rules.
With input from agencies