Duration of bursting of firecrackers on Deepawali is fixed for two hours

Raipur: The state government has issued orders to ensure 100 per cent compliance of the order issued by the National Green Tribunal regarding the use of firecrackers.

According to the instructions issued, only green crackers should be sold and used in cities where the level of air quality is good or satisfactory or medium category. The duration of bursting of firecrackers on the occasion of Diwali, Chhath, Gurpurab and New Year/Christmas has also been fixed for two hours. 

Instructions have been given by the Housing and Environment Additional Chief Secretary to all the district collectors and superintendents of police in the state to ensure its strict compliance with wide publicity.

The duration of bursting of green crackers in such cities is from 8 pm to 10 pm on Deepawali festival, 6 am to 8 am on Chhath Puja, 8 pm to 10 pm on Gurpurab and New Year or The night has been scheduled from 11.55 pm to 12.30 pm on Christmas. 

Similarly, as per the directions issued by the Supreme Court regarding the use of firecrackers, the sale of improved and green firecrackers that generate less pollution can be done only by licensed traders. Only those firecrackers can be sold for use in the market, the level of noise produced by which is within the prescribed limit. 

The sale, use and manufacture of series crackers or sticks is prohibited. Instructions have also been given to cancel the license of such manufacturers of firecrackers, who have used lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead and mercury in firecrackers. The sale of firecrackers through online ie e-trading websites like Flipkart, Amazon will be prohibited.