Odisha Issues Guidelines for Diwali Celebrations, Restricts Firecracker Use to 9 PM

Bhubaneswar: As Diwali approaches, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has issued comprehensive guidelines for celebrating the festival responsibly, emphasizing restricted firecracker use to reduce noise and air pollution. Diwali falls on November 1 this year, and the OSPCB has set specific measures to ensure a safer, eco-friendly celebration.

According to the new guidelines, firecrackers may only be burst between 7 pm and 9 pm, and the noise level of individual crackers must not exceed 125 decibels. Firecrackers are prohibited within a 100-meter radius of silence zones, including hospitals and religious sites, to protect sensitive areas from noise disturbances.

Here are the key guidelines for this year’s Diwali celebrations:

• Eco-friendly Celebration: Citizens are encouraged to celebrate Diwali primarily with traditional diyas and limit firecracker use between 7 pm and 9 pm. Series or chain firecrackers generating peak noise levels above 125 dBA are discouraged.
• Silence Zones: Firecrackers should not be used near parks, gardens, and designated silence zones, which include areas within 100 meters of hospitals, schools, religious institutions, and court complexes.
• Green Crackers Only: The use of green firecrackers is permitted, but only in open areas to minimize air pollution.
• Safety Precautions: Firecracker use should be avoided near flammable structures, slum areas, and busy roads to prevent potential hazards.
• Age and Safety Restrictions: Children under the age of 10 are not permitted to handle sound-generating firecrackers. Additionally, all individuals are advised to wear cotton clothing while handling firecrackers to prevent accidents.

The Supreme Court has also mandated that only green firecrackers be manufactured and sold, prohibiting firecrackers with barium and other harmful chemicals. OSPCB’s guidelines follow these directives, aiming to curb the environmental impact of Diwali celebrations while ensuring public safety.