Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has issued an advisory for Diwali, imposing strict restrictions on the sale and bursting of firecrackers to curb noise and air pollution.
As per the advisory, only green crackers approved by CSIR-NEERI and carrying a QR code will be allowed for sale and use. The board has completely banned the manufacturing, storage and sale of all other firecrackers, including those containing Barium and other prohibited chemicals.
The advisory states that the noise level of crackers should not exceed 125 dB(AI) at a distance of 4 meters. It also prohibits bursting of crackers within Silence Zones, which includes a 100-meter radius around hospitals, nursing homes, educational institutions, courts and religious places. Sellers have been asked to obtain necessary licenses as per PESO guidelines and ensure compliance with safety norms. The board has also banned the online sale of firecrackers through e-commerce platforms.
Key Guidelines:
- Celebrate Diwali by lighting Diyas only and restrict bursting of firecrackers between 7 pm to 9 pm.
- Refrain from bursting garland of crackers and excessively high-sound generating crackers.
- The noise level of firecrackers should not exceed the prescribed maximum limit of 125 dB(AI).
- Do not burst crackers in places declared as Silence Zone by the competent authorities, such as gardens, nursing homes, parks, hospitals, educational institutions and courts.
- License from concerned authorities must be obtained as per PESO guidelines for storage and sale of firecrackers. Safety and security of public must be ensured.
- Only PESO-approved (Pollution Control Board approved) environmentally friendly green crackers will be allowed for sale.
- Green crackers must mandatorily carry the CSIR-NEERI logo and a QR code, and buyers must verify the same before purchase.
- Firecrackers should not be burst near thatched houses, huts, residential colonies, slums etc.
- Children below 10 years of age shall not be allowed to burst crackers alone.
- Maintain safe distance while bursting crackers.
- Use of Barium and other specified chemical-based firecrackers is completely banned.
- E-commerce platforms will not be allowed to sell firecrackers.
- As per the directive of the Supreme Court, there is a restriction on production and sale of firecrackers other than Green Crackers.
- Do not burst crackers near slum areas, shops, buildings or places with risk of fire, roads and areas with heavy vehicular movement.
- Do not allow children below 10 years of age to burst sound-generating crackers.
- Wear cotton clothes while bursting crackers.
- Use of Barium and other banned chemical substances in firecrackers is completely prohibited.
- Keep a bucket of water or sand near the place of bursting crackers for use in case of an emergency.
- Keep domestic animals, birds and other animals safe from cracker noise and smoke, as they are highly sensitive to sound and smoke.
- Senior citizens and persons having respiratory problems should stay away from exposure to cracker smoke.
- Instead of bursting excessive crackers, encourage eco-friendly Diwali celebration through lights, diyas and cultural programs.
- For eye protection while bursting crackers, use transparent safety goggles.
- Violation of the above rules may invite penal action as per Odisha Fireworks & Loudspeaker (Regulation) Act, 1958 and Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
- Any complaint in this regard can be lodged with the District Administration or Police of your respective district/region.
