Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) issued new guidelines on Tuesday to ensure a safe and eco-friendly Diwali celebration. The bursting of firecrackers is permitted only between 7 PM and 9 PM. Firecrackers with noise levels above 125 decibels are strictly prohibited.
The guidelines ban the use of firecrackers in parks, silence zones, and within 100 meters of hospitals, educational institutions, religious sites, and courts. Additionally, only green firecrackers are allowed, and they may be burst only in open spaces. Firecracker use is prohibited in residential areas, roads, and crowded public spaces.
The guidelines also restrict children below the age of 10 from using high-decibel firecrackers. The sale and use of firecrackers containing barium and other harmful chemicals are prohibited to reduce air pollution.
The OSPCB encourages citizens to adhere to these restrictions to help maintain a safe environment for all during the festival.
