Home / Environment / Fireworks Crackdown: Kolkata Urges Strict Law Compliance
Fireworks Crackdown: Kolkata Urges Strict Law Compliance
3 Nov
Summary
- Activists demand strict compliance with court directives on fireworks.
- Concerns raised over noise and smoke impacting vulnerable populations.
- Proposed changes include categorizing fireworks and testing green crackers.
Environmental and civic groups in Kolkata are advocating for stringent enforcement of court orders regarding fireworks, aiming to curb excessive noise and smoke during upcoming festivals. Sabuj Mancha, a prominent organization, emphasized the need for compliance with prescribed time limits, particularly highlighting the adverse effects on hospitals, the elderly, children, and animals. They suggest allowing fireworks up to 90 decibels but within legal frameworks and reclassifying the fireworks industry to an orange category, aligning with national standards.
Discussions during a civic interaction revealed that silent zones, especially near hospitals, often experience loud noise late into the night, despite existing restrictions. Activists called for greater accountability from local authorities in enforcing these regulations. Sabuj Mancha plans a city-wide awareness campaign on November 6, using tableaux to encourage citizens to forgo excessive fireworks and to press the government for lawful action.
The organization's leaflet specifies permitted hours for fireworks: 8pm to 10pm on Kali Puja and Diwali, 6am to 8am on Chhath Puja, and a brief window on Christmas and New Year's Eve, with a complete ban at other times. It also calls for sound limiters on microphones, prohibition of DJs in public spaces, and a total ban on fireworks and microphones near silent zones. Personal responsibility is to be assigned to police station officers for violations, with residents urged to report any breaches promptly.
