Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) on Monday issued a set of guidelines to ensure a safe, noise-free, and environmentally friendly Diwali celebration across the state.
As per the directive, the bursting of firecrackers will only be permitted between 7 pm and 9 pm. Firecrackers exceeding the permissible noise limit of 125 dB (AI) have been strictly banned.
“The use of firecrackers has been prohibited in parks, silence zones, and within 100 meters of hospitals, educational institutions, religious places, and courts. Only green crackers certified by regulatory authorities are allowed and must be burst only in open spaces,” the OSPCB stated.
Additionally, residential areas, roads, and crowded public spaces are off-limits for firecracker use. Children below the age of 10 have been restricted from handling high-decibel crackers. The Board also advised people to wear cotton clothing while bursting crackers to reduce the risk of burns or accidents.
The public has been urged to keep water and sand nearby while using fireworks and to avoid lighting them by hand. Any cracker that fails to ignite should not be re-lit, and the surrounding area should be cleaned. People are also advised to maintain distance from the elderly and animals during firecracker use and to wear protective goggles to ensure eye safety.
Violation of these guidelines will invite strict legal action under The Orissa Fire Crackers and Loudspeakers (Regulation) Act, 1958, and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. Citizens can report violations to local authorities, including the District Magistrate, ADM, SDM, SP, ASP, DSP, and SDPO.
“As per the Supreme Court’s directive, only ‘Green Crackers’ are allowed. The Orissa High Court has also banned the use of barium, sodium nitrate, arsenic, and mercury in the manufacture of firecrackers. All district Collectors and SPs have been instructed to enforce the guidelines strictly. Anyone found violating them will face stringent action,” said OSPCB Chief Environmental Scientist Niranjan Mallik while speaking to the media.
The OSPCB has appealed to the public to celebrate Diwali responsibly and contribute towards reducing pollution and ensuring public safety.
