Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has sent a circular to district officials, the education department, the fire department, the district authorities, and the civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ahead of Diwali asking that they abide by the Supreme Court’s rulings regulating, among other things, the timing of the use of firecrackers.
“Only green firecrackers have been permitted for use between the hours of 8 and 10 at night, according to the Supreme Court. Other firecracker types are not allowed to be used or sold,” stated the circular.
“Directions have been given to all districts to measure air and sound pollution on all the seven days before Deepavali and seven days after the festival i.e. from October 17-31. According to the Supreme Court order, all districts have to measure air and noise pollution,” it added.
“The district authorities have been ordered to make sure that the waste that has accumulated over the festive season is disposed of properly. By November 5, the KSPCB should receive the reports of air and noise pollution recorded from October 17–31,” it noted.
The board will also hold awareness campaigns regarding eco-friendly Deepavali at public places like bus stands, metro stations, and malls.
