States ban, limit use of firecrackers ahead of festive season, check full list - in pics

Delhi, which anyway suffers from bad air during this time of the year, has banned crackers totally. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) ordered a complete ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers in the national capital till January 1, 2022. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced a ban on firecrackers on September 15, saying it was "essential to save lives." According to the DPCC order, several experts have indicated a possibility of another surge of COVID-19 and large-scale celebrations by bursting of firecrackers will result not only in agglomeration of people in violation of social distancing norms but also a high level of air pollution leading to serious health issues in Delhi.

The Punjab government has allowed the sale and use of green crackers in the state while providing the time limits of bursting the same during various upcoming festivals and occasions. The bursting of green crackers have been allowed from 8 pm to 10 pm for Diwali and from 4am to 5am and 9pm to 10pm on Gurpurb (November 19), from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am on Christmas and New year's eve. However, noting the poor Air Quality Index recorded in last November, the Punjab government has banned sale and use of any kind of cracker in Mandi Gobidgarh and Jalandhar till midnight of December 31, 2021.

The West Bengal government banned the sale and use of all firecrackers, except the green ones ahead of the upcoming festivals including Diwali and Christmas. In an order dated October 26, 2021, West Bengal Pollution Control Board said, “Only green crackers can be sold in West Bengal and bursting of such crackers shall be allowed for 2 hrs during Diwali from 8-10 pm, 2 hours during Chhatt Puja from 6-8 am and 35 minutes during Christmas and New Year's eve from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am.”

(Pic: Pixabay)

While the Rajasthan government earlier issued a complete ban, it amended its earlier order, allowing the sale and bursting of green crackers in the entire state, except NCR area, reported ANI. Bursting will be allowed from 8-10 pm on Diwali, Gurupurab & other festivals; 6-8 am on Chhath and 11:55 pm to 12:30 am on Christmas and New Year.

(Pic: Pixabay)

In Agra, the administration has announced a blanket ban on the use and sale of firecrackers. Issuing an order, the Agra administration clarified that no licence would be issued and no shops will be allocated this year to sell crackers. Last year as well, there was a similar ban but violations of the rule were reported from several parts of the district.

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Four cities in the state, Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur, will see a complete ban on the sale and use of firecrackers. The poor air quality in these cities is reportedly the cause behind the ban. In other towns of the state, only green crackers are allowed.

(Pic: Pixabay)