State follows Supreme Court guidelines on firecrackers, bans flying lanterns without permission
**Our Correspondent, Kolkata:** Ahead of Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja, the state government has taken a strict stance on bursting firecrackers and flying lanterns. The state administration said preparations for this year's festivals are being made in line with the guidelines of the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court. It has also been made clear that flying lanterns or air balloons without permission is not allowed. The administration has warned that legal action will be taken against those who violate the rules.
On Thursday, a joint press conference was held at Nabanna in the presence of officials from the Home Department, Environment Department, Police, Fire Services and the Pollution Control Board. There, several steps taken by the administration to ensure public safety during the festive season, including bursting firecrackers, action against banned firecrackers and flying lanterns, were announced.
### Firecrackers can be burst only at specified times
At the press conference, State Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh said that no firecrackers other than 'green crackers' approved by the Pollution Control Board may be used. As per the Supreme Court guidelines, firecrackers may be burst from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali night and from 6 am to 8 am on Chhath Puja day.
The administration has appealed to the public to refrain from bursting firecrackers outside the specified hours. To maintain environmental balance and control air and noise pollution, special emphasis is being placed on enforcing these restrictions.
### Strict action against flying lanterns without permission
Along with firecrackers, the state government has also warned against flying lanterns and air balloons. State Police DG Siddhanath Gupta said that specific rules must be followed while flying lanterns and air balloons. Several accidents have occurred in the past due to lanterns flown without permission. Learning from that experience, the administration does not want to take any risk regarding safety this year.
Police surveillance will be intensified to check whether rules are being violated while flying lanterns. According to administrative sources, this step is aimed at ensuring that the joy of the festival does not lead to accidents or loss of life.
### Firecracker markets will be set up only in designated places
Several rules are also being enforced for the sale of firecrackers during the festive season. According to government orders, firecracker markets will be set up only in safe open areas identified by the corporations, municipalities and police. Fire engines and ambulances will also be deployed at the markets to handle emergencies such as fires.
The administration's aim is to ensure safety in the sale and use of firecrackers, and to arrange quick rescue and treatment if any untoward incident occurs.
### Specified limits for noise control
Guidelines regarding noise level control of green crackers have also been highlighted. According to information given by the administration, the maximum noise level for sound-producing firecrackers is 125 decibels, and for light-producing firecrackers it is 90 decibels.
In addition, bursting firecrackers within 100 metres of hospitals, educational institutions and silence zones has been completely prohibited. Strict action will be taken against those who violate these restrictions.
Police and administration have been instructed to remain vigilant so that noise pollution does not spread in hospitals, schools, colleges and other sensitive areas.
### Green crackers can be verified by scanning QR code
The Pollution Control Board has also highlighted the use of QR codes to help the public identify approved green crackers. According to the board, buyers can verify the validity of a cracker by scanning the QR code on the packet of approved green crackers.
Therefore, people have been advised to check the information on the packet while buying firecrackers and to use only approved crackers. Residents of multi-storey buildings have also been asked to be careful while bursting firecrackers so that fire or any other accident does not occur.
### 110 kg banned firecrackers recovered in Kolkata, one arrested
Meanwhile, police have started a drive against illegal firecrackers. 110 kg of banned firecrackers were recovered from the Burrabazar area of Kolkata, and one person has been arrested in this case. Surveillance is being increased in various areas to curb the stockpiling and sale of illegal firecrackers ahead of the festival.
According to the administration, control rooms, special police patrols and monitoring systems in various districts will be kept active. Necessary steps will be taken as soon as complaints about the sale, stockpiling or use of banned firecrackers are received.
### Several departments will jointly monitor the situation
Present at the press conference were Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh, Environment Department Secretary Soumitra Gupta, State Police DG Siddhanath Gupta, Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda, Fire Services DG Manoj Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary of the Fire Services Department Khalil Ahmed, and Member-Secretary of the Pollution Control Board Ashok Singh.
Emphasis was laid on all concerned departments working in coordination so that pollution is kept under control during Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja and no accident occurs. The administration's message is that court guidelines and safety protocols must be followed while keeping the joy of the festival alive. Strict action will be taken against anyone who bursts firecrackers in violation of the rules or flies lanterns without permission.
