Kolkata residents will be allowed to burst firecrackers only during court-mandated hours for Diwali and Chhath Puja this year, with the West Bengal government restricting use to approved green crackers and tightening enforcement against illegal sales, storage and excessive noise.
The rules were announced at a joint briefing at Nabanna attended by officials from the home, environment, police, fire services and pollution control departments. Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh said preparations for the festival season were being made in accordance with directions issued by the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court.
Under the schedule announced by the administration, firecrackers may be burst on Diwali from 8 pm to 10 pm. For Chhath Puja, the permitted window is from 6 am to 8 am. The administration also reiterated the prescribed noise limits of 125 decibels for sound-emitting fireworks and 90 decibels for light-emitting fireworks.
Only green crackers will be permitted. The West Bengal Pollution Control Board said residents would be able to scan the QR code printed on approved green-cracker packaging to check whether the products are authorised. The administration has advised people to buy only such crackers and to follow the prescribed timing and noise restrictions.
The restrictions also cover sky lanterns, which the administration said are not included among green crackers and will therefore be prohibited unless prior permission or a licence is obtained from the fire services department. Additional caution is being taken because of incidents linked to sky lanterns in previous years.
Additional Director General of Police Siddhinath Gupta said the Fire Services Act contains specific guidelines for the use of such balloons or lanterns. Anyone seeking to fly them must obtain prior permission or a licence from the fire services department, he said, adding that no other method would be permitted.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nanda and other officials warned that action would be taken against illegal firecracker storage, sales, transportation and use. Violations may lead to seizure of products and arrest of those responsible. Authorities said enforcement would cover every stage of the supply chain, from manufacture and storage to transport, sale and use.
The government also directed officials to strengthen monitoring around firecracker markets. Such markets are expected to be located away from residential areas, while shops must maintain adequate spacing from one another. The administration and police have been asked to pay closer attention to these safety requirements during the festival period.
Officials also stressed the need to maintain silence zones within 100 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, old-age homes and educational institutions. Residents of high-rise housing complexes were urged to remain alert and ensure that firecracker use does not violate safety rules or affect other occupants.
A dedicated control-room number for complaints about illegal sales, excessive noise and other violations is expected to be announced. The government said the restrictions were intended to reduce air and noise pollution and prevent fire incidents during Kali Puja, Chhath Puja and Jagaddhatri Puja celebrations.
