Karnataka and Thane implement strict Diwali firecracker regulations
Authorities in Karnataka and Thane have restricted firecracker use to green crackers and specific time windows to curb pollution.
The Karnataka government has announced a two-hour window for bursting firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm on November 8, 9 and 10, according to the Financial Express. Only certified green crackers with QR codes are permitted during the festival.
Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy said district administrations and enforcement agencies have been directed to enforce these restrictions in line with Supreme Court orders. The guidelines include a strict ban on firecrackers near hospitals and schools to protect children, older people and stray animals.
In Thane, the municipal administration has issued directives to curb air and noise pollution, as reported by the Free Press Journal. The city has imposed a curfew on firecrackers from 10 pm to 6 am and banned their use in public spaces such as roads, footpaths and alleys.
Thane authorities have also banned the use of laser lights, high-intensity beams and strobe lights. Bursting crackers is prohibited within a 100-metre radius of silence zones, including government offices, courts and educational institutions.
The Thane directives align with High Court orders and prohibit firecrackers emitting noise levels above 125 decibels. Only licensed vendors at designated locations are permitted to sell firecrackers, while unauthorised roadside vending is banned.
In Karnataka, officials have been asked to verify green-cracker markings and seize unauthorised products. State borders are under strict checks to prevent the illegal transportation of banned firecrackers, according to Minister Reddy.