Complete Ban On Firecrackers In Delhi-NCR From Midnight Till November 30: NGT

The cities/towns where air quality is ‘moderate’ or below, only green crackers be sold and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals, like Diwali, Chhath, New Year/Christmas Eve as may be specified by the State, says NGT.

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Fire-crackers ban: The use and sale of all types of fireworks has been prohibited in Delhi National Capital Region from midnight today, said the National Green Tribunal.  The NGT pronounced a total ban against sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi NCR from midnight today till 30th November. The cities/towns where air quality is ‘moderate’ or below, only green crackers be sold and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals, like Diwali, Chhath, New Year/Christmas Eve as may be specified by the State, says NGT. The Delhi government had already announced a blanket ban on firecrackers during Diwali. It warned that a hefty fine could be imposed on those violating the ban. In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also banned bursting of firecrackers in public places under its jurisdiction. Use of soundless firecrackers like 'phooljhadi', 'anar' is allowed between 8pm till 10 pm on Diwali only. States which have already banned crackers: States like Karnataka Odisha, West Bengal and Rajasthan have already banned the sale and bursting of firecrackers during Diwali. Haryana has cracked down on the sale of imported firecrackers. Karnataka decided to ban the sales and bursting of firecrackers during Diwali this year in view of the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said on Friday. Yeddyurappa said that the state government had discussed the firecracker ban with health experts and thereafter arrived at the decision. Decision Pending In Uttar Pradesh: Uncertainty prevails over the sale of firecrackers in Uttar Pradesh even as Diwali is only a few days away. The Uttar Pradesh government has not yet issued any clear advisory on sale of crackers after certain Hindu leaders objected to the ban on firecrackers by the Delhi government.