The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, October 1
The Chandigarh Administration has allowed the use of green crackers on Diwali, Gurpurab and Dussehra. The decision has been taken by the Administrator, Banwarilal Purohit today that ahead of the festive season, residents of the City Beautiful will be able to burst green crackers for a specific time period.
The city residents will be allowed the use of green crackers on Diwali (from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm) and for Dussehra for burning of effigy and for Gurupurab (from 4.00 am to 5.00 am and 9.00 pm to 10.00 pm)
The Supreme Court vide it’s orders dated 23.10.2018 passed in the case of Arjun Gopal & others Vs Union of India & Others CWP No. 726 of 2015 has allowed the sale of green crackers with direction that on Diwali days or on any other festivals like Gurupurab etc. Fireworks to take place strictly from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm only.
Further Ld NGT Principal Bench, New Delhi vide its orders dated 1.12.2020 has also allowed to restrict use of the Crackers in cities/towns where air quality is moderate or below. It was also directed that use if green crackers only would be allowed and that to for duration of not more than two hours.
As per the detail report on Air Quality Index received from the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee the air quality during the Diwali month in the year 2020 and 2021 was found to be moderate/satisfactory, therefore the Chandigarh Administration has allowed the use of green crackers in the city.
The green crackers had been developed by the National Environmental and Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a subsidiary of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
