Crackers above 90 dB will not be allowed in Diwali, Kali Puja: Sovan

Sound crackers above 90 decibels will not be allowed in Kali Puja and Diwali, state Environment minister Sovan Chatterjee said on Thursday.

He said unlike in the past, sound crackers above 90 decibels would not be seized but stern action would be taken against the manufacturers and sellers. He maintained that some people had been spreading a rumour that the upper limit of sound crackers had been relaxed and the Mayor categorically stated that no such relaxation had been made. 

“All the sellers have been given the instruction and stern action will be taken against those flouting it,” he said.

He said a high-level meeting with senior city police officers would be held on October 23 to prepare the blueprint against selling of sound crackers above 90 decibels.

He said chocolate bombs had been examined before the officials of Environment department and most of them were found to be below the stipulated level. “The festival of light should be held by showing proper respect to the norms and should not cause inconvenience to others,” he remarked.

A temporary market of crackers, lights and lamps are held at Maidan every year where sellers from all over the country come to sell their products. Many people buy crackers and other items from Nungi and Champahati both situated in South 24 Parganas. The district administration has been instructed to ensure that sound crackers beyond the stipulated norm are not sold.

Due to strict vigil by the Pollution Control Board and city police, the selling of sound crackers with deafening sound have gone down and more people are buying items that do not emit sound. This 

year some groups through social media like Facebook and Twitter are requesting people not to buy Chinese crackers and lamps.