West Bengal restricts firecracker use during Kali Puja-Diwali festivities

West Bengal's Environment Minister Manoj Oraon announced stringent measures to regulate firecracker use during the Kali Puja and Diwali season, restricting bursting activities to designated hours only. The move aims to balance festive celebrations with environmental protection and public safety concerns that typically arise during the year-end festival period.

To ensure adherence to the new restrictions, the state government will deploy round-the-clock mobile teams across West Bengal. These enforcement units will monitor violations and take corrective measures to maintain compliance with the stipulated hours for firecracker use throughout the festival season.

The decision reflects growing concerns about air and noise pollution during major Hindu festivals, when large-scale firecracker bursting significantly degrades air quality and impacts public health. By implementing time-bound restrictions, state officials hope to mitigate environmental damage while allowing citizens to celebrate their cultural traditions.

The Environment Minister's announcement underscores the state's commitment to sustainable festival celebrations. Authorities have appealed to residents to cooperate with the new guidelines, emphasizing that collective participation is essential for achieving the dual objectives of environmental conservation and public safety during the festive period.