Kolkata firecracker rules are facing renewed enforcement demands ahead of Kali Puja and Diwali, with environmentalists, doctors, lawyers, academics and animal-rights activists urging the government and police to act against violations of court-directed noise and timing restrictions.
Sabuj Mancha general secretary Nab Dutta said unchecked noise and smoke from fireworks continued to affect hospitals, elderly people, patients, children and animals. He was speaking at a civic interaction on preparations for the festive season, held from 5.15pm to 7.30pm.
Dutta said firecrackers producing up to 90 decibels should be permitted again, but only within the legal framework. He also called for the fireworks industry, which he said had been shifted from the red category to the white category, to be placed in the orange category, as in other parts of the country.
He said green crackers should be tested before they are sold and urged authorities to stop the illegal production, storage and sale of fireworks. Participants at the meeting said areas around hospitals continued to experience loud noise late into the night despite restrictions, and called for greater accountability from local authorities, particularly in silent zones.
A leaflet issued by Sabuj Mancha said only green crackers should be used during designated hours: between 8pm and 10pm on Kali Puja and Diwali, between 6am and 8am on Chhath Puja, and from 11.55pm to 12.30am on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It said firecrackers were banned at all other times.
The leaflet also said microphones should not be used after 10pm and must be fitted with sound limiters. It called for DJs to be prohibited in pandals, processions, roads and public places, and for crackers and microphones to be completely banned near hospitals, nursing homes and other silent zones.
Sabuj Mancha said the officer-in-charge of the local police station should be held personally responsible when crackers are burst outside permitted hours or banned fireworks are sold. The platform also urged residents to report violations promptly to local authorities.
The organisation said it would hold a day-long awareness campaign across Kolkata on November 6, using tableaux to encourage citizens to avoid excessive noise and smoke and to press the government to enforce the rules. The campaign will also appeal to residents and puja organisers to celebrate Kali Puja and Diwali without violating the prescribed restrictions.
