Bengal bans firecrackers above 90 decibels

Firecrackers above the noise limit of 90 decibels will stay banned in West Bengal this Diwali, an official of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) said on Saturday.

"The eastern bench of National Green Tribunal gave the WBPCB the freedom to set the noise ceiling on firecrackers and we stuck to 90 decibels," said Kalyan Rudra, chairman of the state pollution regulator.

He said while 125 decibel is the cap in the other states, Bengal has managed to retain the lower cap. "We will discuss with the central pollution control board and on Monday possibly, issue the notification," said Rudra.