Finance
The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has released a notice for Diwali, enforcing stringent limitations on the sale and use of firecrackers to reduce noise and air pollution.
According to the advisory, only green crackers authorized by CSIR-NEERI and featuring a QR code will be permitted for sale and usage. The board has entirely prohibited the production, storage, and sale of all other firecrackers, including those with Barium and other banned substances.
The advisory indicates that the sound intensity of firecrackers must not surpass 125 dB(AI) at a distance of 4 meters. It additionally bans the use of crackers in Silence Zones, encompassing a 100-meter area surrounding hospitals, nursing homes, educational institutions, courts, and places of worship. Vendors are required to secure the appropriate licenses according to PESO regulations and guarantee adherence to safety standards. The board has prohibited the internet sale of firecrackers via e-commerce sites.
Key Guidelines:
- Celebrate Diwali by lighting Diyas only and restrict bursting of firecrackers between 7 pm to 9 pm.
- Refrain from bursting garland of crackers and excessively high-sound generating crackers.
- The noise level of firecrackers should not exceed the prescribed maximum limit of 125 dB(AI).
- Do not burst crackers in places declared as Silence Zone by the competent authorities, such as gardens, nursing homes, parks, hospitals, educational institutions and courts.
- License from concerned authorities must be obtained as per PESO guidelines for storage and sale of firecrackers. Safety and security of public must be ensured.
- Only PESO-approved (Pollution Control Board approved) environmentally friendly green crackers will be allowed for sale.
- Green crackers must mandatorily carry the CSIR-NEERI logo and a QR code, and buyers must verify the same before purchase.
- Firecrackers should not be burst near thatched houses, huts, residential colonies, slums etc.
- Children below 10 years of age shall not be allowed to burst crackers alone.
- Maintain safe distance while bursting crackers.
- Use of Barium and other specified chemical-based firecrackers is completely banned.
- E-commerce platforms will not be allowed to sell firecrackers.
- As per the directive of the Supreme Court, there is a restriction on production and sale of firecrackers other than Green Crackers.
- Do not burst crackers near slum areas, shops, buildings or places with risk of fire, roads and areas with heavy vehicular movement.
- Do not allow children below 10 years of age to burst sound-generating crackers.
- Wear cotton clothes while bursting crackers.
- Use of Barium and other banned chemical substances in firecrackers is completely prohibited.
- Keep a bucket of water or sand near the place of bursting crackers for use in case of an emergency.
- Keep domestic animals, birds and other animals safe from cracker noise and smoke, as they are highly sensitive to sound and smoke.
- Senior citizens and persons having respiratory problems should stay away from exposure to cracker smoke.
- Instead of bursting excessive crackers, encourage eco-friendly Diwali celebration through lights, diyas and cultural programs.
- For eye protection while bursting crackers, use transparent safety goggles.
- Violation of the above rules may invite penal action as per Odisha Fireworks & Loudspeaker (Regulation) Act, 1958 and Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
- Any complaint in this regard can be lodged with the District Administration or Police of your respective district/region.
