Cracker fair likely to be shifted from Maidan; four fireworks fail decibel test

Kolkata: With a few days to go for the Kali Puja and Diwali, organisers of the firecracker fair here are now scouting for a new place as the Army is yet to give permission to hold it in the Kolkata Maidan where it was being held since 1995.

Though the association of the firecrackers sellers has proposed Vivekananda Park at Southern Avenue as the alternate venue, the permission for the same is yet to be received.

However, the fair at the four other venues will remain unchanged. In North Kolkata, the fair will be held at Tala Park ground while there are three venues in South Kolkata at Tollygunge, Behala and Garia respectively. The fair will begin from November 1 at all the venues.

Every year, the firecracker fair is organised ahead of the Kali Puja and Diwali. Similarly, this year also steps were taken for organising the same. But the Maidan venue had to be changed as the Army didn't give its nod to organise it there. Hence the association had to decide to shift the venue and identified Vivekananda Park at Southern Avenue as the alternate place for the fair. Subsequently, necessary steps have been taken up to host the fair at the new venue and the organisers are now waiting for the necessary clearances. The organisers are in touch with the police and Kolkata Municipal Corporation for the necessary clearances.

Meanwhile, 11 different firecrackers were tested at Tala Park Ground on Monday. There were members of the state Pollution Control Board and police. Out of 11, four of the firecrackers have failed to clear the decibel test.

It may be mentioned that earlier restrictions were imposed on the sale of 101 different types of firecrackers and now, the total number of the same has gone up to 105.