Nagpur allows only green firecrackers this Diwali, bans string crackers outright

Nagpur Police have imposed restrictions on the sale and use of firecrackers in the city to reduce air and noise pollution during Diwali. Only green firecrackers, which are less harmful to the environment, will be permitted. The sale and use of string crackers, known as ladi, have been banned completely.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Pakhale has filed a detailed compliance affidavit in the Bombay High Court. It sets out the steps the city police have taken to enforce pollution control rules.

The High Court had earlier expressed serious concern over several issues. Loud firecrackers were being set off on public roads, some vehicles had modified silencers that made excessive noise, and air and noise pollution in the city was rising.

Following the court's directions, the administration has decided not to issue temporary licences for firecracker sales on 15 major roads and sensitive locations. These areas have effectively been made no-cracker zones.

The places on the list are Burdi Main Road, the stretch from Mahal to Gandhi Gate Chowk, Bhosle Wada, Badkas Chowk, the Kalyaneshwar temple complex, Golibar Chowk to Timki Teen Nal Chowk, Shaheed Chowk, Hansapuri, Maskasath and Marwari Chowk. Also included are the Mayo and Daga hospital premises, the Medical College premises, Indora to Kamal Talkies Chowk, Gokulpeth Market and Sadar Residency Road.

Action has also been taken against violators. Police have registered cases under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against 10 firecracker sellers for violating licence conditions.

Police have also run 363 awareness campaigns in schools and colleges. The aim is to tell students and young people about protecting the environment and to explain the harm caused by firecrackers.

Police have told the High Court that action will continue during the festival season to enforce the prescribed rules and keep noise and air pollution under control.