West Bengal has tightened enforcement around Kali Puja firecrackers and sky lanterns, with the state police chief warning that lanterns and air balloons must be used under specified rules to prevent accidents. The restrictions were discussed at a police-administration meeting on Kali Puja preparations and a joint media briefing held from Nabanna.
State Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta said sky lanterns, also known as fanush or air balloons, have been linked to accidents when used without permission or a licence. He said users would have to follow the prescribed rules, although the administration has not clarified in the reported briefing whether an ordinary household lantern would require a licence or where such permission could be obtained.
The uncertainty is significant because sky lanterns are commonly sold during the festival season and are often released from rooftops or from roadsides. The police warning places responsibility on users to comply with the rules, while leaving questions about the exact approval process and the enforcement standards for individual use.
The administration also reiterated restrictions on sound-emitting firecrackers in designated silent zones. Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh said no sound crackers could be burst within 100 metres of hospitals, schools, colleges and old-age homes. These areas are required to maintain silence during the festival period.
Ghosh urged residents to prioritise green crackers and said public awareness would be more effective than enforcement alone. She said that personal celebration should not become a source of distress for others, while calling for greater awareness about the rules governing firecracker use.
The administration said firecracker markets would face monitoring and control measures before Kali Puja. Authorities will conduct continuing drives against banned firecrackers and maintain vigilance and patrolling during the festival days. The measures are intended to address both the sale and use of prohibited fireworks.
A control room will also be opened before Kali Puja to receive complaints from residents about firecracker violations. People will be able to report concerns to the administration through the facility, while enforcement teams will remain active during the celebrations.
The announcement places the practical burden of implementation on police patrols, market monitoring, complaint response and public compliance. Details of the licensing system for sky lanterns, including the authority responsible for issuing permissions and the exact rules for household use, remain to be clarified by the administration.
