In the run-up to Diwali, police across states are cracking down hard on the sale and use of firecrackers in a bid to reduce air pollution. This comes days after the Supreme Court said that the ban on firecrackers containing barium extends to all states and is not solely limited to the Delhi-NCR region. The police so far has seized large amount of firecrackers in different states including West Bengal and Delhi. 


A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh asked the Rajasthan government to comply with its earlier directions on bursting of firecrackers during Diwali.


While hearing an intervention application filed in a pending petition seeking a ban on firecrackers, the bench said, “At this juncture, no specific order will be necessary in as much as this Court, in the course of hearing the petitions, has passed several orders, where steps have been indicated to minimise and avoid air as well as noise pollution. Hence, the said orders will bind every state in the country, including the state of Rajasthan. Therefore, we make it clear that the state of Rajasthan would also take note of this and take all steps to minimise air and noise pollution, not only during the festival season but even thereafter”.


The application had sought directions to the Rajasthan government to comply with the apex court’s orders, take steps to check air and sound pollution, and impose a ban on firecrackers in Udaipur city during Diwali and weddings.


3500 Kg Firecrackers Seized In Delhi, Drone Surveillance Being Done, Say Delhi Police  


The Delhi Police have seized around 3500 kg of firecrackers and have taken action by registering FIRs. The city police have undertaken surveillance through drones near the Yamuna Khadar area.


Speaking on the matter, North Delhi DCP Manoj Kumar Meena said, "Till now we have caught around 3500 kg of firecrackers and have taken action by registering FIRs...Surveillance is being done through drones near Yamuna Khadar area."






In September, the Supreme Court asked Delhi Police not to issue temporary licences for sale and storage of any kind of firecrackers in the city. The top court stated that when the city government has banned all firecrackers in Delhi, no distinction can be made on the basis of whether they are green or not, as reported by news agency PTI.


960 Kg Banned Firecrackers Seized Under Anti-Fircracker Drive By Kolkata Police 


In view of several complaints of firecrackers bursting during the festive season every year, the Kolkata Police have launched a special drive to keep the situation in check. The Kolkata Police, during their anti-crime and anti-firecracker drives, seized about 960 kg of banned firecrackers from 32 boxes, as reported by the Millennium Post.


'Burst Firecrackers Only Between 7 PM To 10 PM': BMC Chief Urges People People In Mumbai To Follow HC Directive 


Mumbai civic chief Iqbal Chahal on Friday urged the citizens of the city to follow the Bombay High Court's directive and burst firecrackers only between 7 pm and 10 pm during Diwali. Earlier this week, the high court issued directions to limit fireworks between 7 pm and 10 pm during the festival.


“I request that you all, with folded hands, follow the court's directive and do not burst the crackers that will add to the air and noise pollution,” Chahal urged in a video message, as quoted by PTI.


The AQI in Mumbai has shown massive improvement since the city received rainfall. The air quality in the city was "satisfactory, with AQI recorded at 80, as per SAFAR.


2 Hour Window To Burst Crackers In Hyderabad, Say Police 


In view of the Supreme Court order, Hyderabad Police have prohibited bursting fireworks in public places on the occasion of Diwali.


“Between 8 PM and 10 PM, the noise level from crackers and instruments should not exceed the permissible limits set by PCB,” the order stated, as quoted by The Times of India. The order further stated that non-compliance would lead to prosecution.


‘Burst Firecrackers Only Between 8 Pm To 10 PM’: Bengaluru Police To Set Up Task Forces For Violators


Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said on Friday that firecrackers can be burst only from 8 pm to 10 pm, as per directions from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), as reported by Deccan Herald. The commissioner said that only green crackers can be sold during Diwali between November 12 and 14 in the city. The commissioner also stated that joint task forces will be set up to crack down on violators.


“The task force will comprise an officer of the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), along with representatives from the BBMP, Fire and Emergency Services, Electrical Inspectorate and the Pollution Control Board. They will keep a check on illegal sales and storage of firecrackers. They will ensure that those who received the licences strictly implement the conditions,” he said, as quoted by Deccan Herald.