BENGALURU: As schools, colleges, and offices prepare to resume after the extended weekend, the aftermath of Deepavali festivities has left city streets cluttered with firecracker waste. Despite a ban on non-green firecrackers and stricter enforcement of government regulations compared to previous years, litter from firecrackers has persisted for the last three to four days.
The ongoing use of firecrackers has raised significant concerns regarding environmental hazards and the labor costs associated with waste management. The hazardous nature of firework remnants poses risks to municipal workers, who have been forced to work overtime without adequate waste management protocols in place for safe disposal. The absence of clear guidelines for the segregation and disposal of firework waste has resulted in remnants strewn across residential areas and key intersections, particularly in high-sales neighborhoods like Shanthinagar’s Nanjappa Road, Kalyan Nagar, Hebbal, Yeshwantpur, and Rajajinagar.
D. Jayamma, a pourakarmika from Hegganahalli Cross, noted that the volume of firecracker waste this year was on par with previous years, although recent rains eased cleanup efforts. However, the risks faced by workers, especially during festivals without additional pay, have raised alarms. Maitreyi Krishnan from the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) emphasized the danger posed to pourakarmikas, urging authorities to implement scientific methods for collecting and segregating hazardous waste. She warned that exposure to firecracker remnants can be life-threatening, especially if they come into contact with fire.
Experts have called for proper disposal of firecracker waste in accordance with guidelines from the Central Pollution Control Board. Kiran DA, a senior associate at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, expressed concerns that mixing firecracker powder with municipal waste could lead to contamination during collection and transport. Improper disposal could also lead to infiltration into soil and surface water, further endangering the environment.
A recent study by the Geological Survey of India highlighted alarming findings: toxic materials in 41 water bodies across Bengaluru exceeded WHO limits, with chromium, nickel, and lead levels posing serious carcinogenic risks. Officials from the BBMP and the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board have yet to provide specific mechanisms for handling hazardous waste. Kiran recommended that individuals who use firecrackers should pack waste separately before disposal and refrain from burning it to mitigate further environmental risks.
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