Explained: What Kind Of Firecrackers Are Banned In Indian Cities?

For the second time the festive season has kicked off amidst the coronavirus pandemic and states and union territories have issued directives restricting the use of firecrackers, particularly during Diwali, in accordance with the Supreme Court (SC) orders.

In its order against the Kolkata High Court, the apex court observed on 29 October that celebrations cannot be at the cost of citizens' health. But it also clarified that there is no complete ban on firecrackers and only those which contain barium salts were prohibited. Fireworks with barium compounds produce more smoke when they burn. They essentially burn in bright green or white colours.

According to two scenarios projected by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar) for a spike in pollution expected from November 1 onwards, if no firecrackers are set off on Diwali, air quality in Delhi will remain in the very poor range, but may slip into the severe range if half of the crackers burst during 2019 were used, the Hindustan Times reported.

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The burning of firecrackers increases air pollution in cities with more population, which is already in poor condition in the air quality index (AQI) in the winter season. It becomes even more dangerous to burn firecrackers during the COVID-19 pandemic because the immunity weakens due to pollution and people have to face difficulty in breathing.

What is happening in Delhi?

The Supreme Court also reiterated that people in every Indian city can burst permitted firecrackers provided that its ambient air quality was not in the ＆poor＊ category or worse. And Delhi's AQI has been quite evidently poor in the past few years.

Therefore, even this year, the Delhi government has continued with a blanket ban on the sale, storage and use of firecrackers until January 1, 2022. Each year, bursting of crackers coupled with local and external pollution sources such as stubble fires cause a spike in air pollution on Diwali.

Besides, the Safar forecasts mentioned that northwesterlies will bring in heavy loads of pollutants from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana from November 4 onwards, and their contribution to the total pollution mix of Delhi may go up to 40%.

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The analysis, part of Safar＊s Diwali forecast, said stubble burning coupled with likely bursting of firecrackers may push air quality in Delhi into the ＆severe＊ category (average AQI of 400 or above) for the first time this winter season on the day of Diwali. It may stay in the same zone the next day too, the agency said, and added that a slight improvement can only be expected from November 6 onwards.

But, are firecrackers really banned?

Yes. But a black market has also sprung up in various parts of the national capital, helping in making the firecrackers accessible to the people which can certainly lead to people violating the restrictions on Diwali and trigger an air pollution crisis, the Hindustan Times reported.

In at least six localities, ranging from local shop owners to auto-rickshaw drivers admitted that they could help procure firecrackers and deliver them at the doorstep to minimise the risk of being caught. In two of these places, the people allowed the stocks to be inspected for purchase. Further both traditional and non-traditional types of firecrackers were available at multiple spots like Kabir Nagar, Rohini, Ghazipur, Bhalswa, Tilak Nagar, and Munirka, the HT added in its report.

Which firecrackers are allowed?

In an order passed in October 2018, the Supreme Court had banned the use of barium salts in firecrackers and had further said that only items "with reduced emission and green crackers would be permitted to be manufactured and sold on Diwali days or on any other festivals". It had also laid down the timing for the bursting of firecrackers, saying they could be used only between 8 and 10 pm and, on Christmas eve and New Year＊s eve, between "11.55 pm till 12.30 am only".

Green crackers are the invention of the

National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and they are similar to traditional firecrackers from sound to appearance, but when they burn, they produce up to 50% less harmful gases.

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It can't be said that they don't cause pollution at all, it's just that they are significantly less harmful than traditional firecrackers. As they do not contain aluminium, barium, potassium nitrate or carbon or the amount of hazardous chemicals in green crackers is very less. This leads to a significant decrease in pollution. Due to their advantage over normal firecrackers, the green crackers cost more. In many states normal firecrackers are banned but green firecrackers have been allowed.

Moreover, even the 'joined crackers' like laris were also banned and the noise generated by the bursting of firecrackers were ordered to be within permissible limits. Also, the online sale of firecrackers was prohibited and could only be sold by licensed traders.

Where else are firecrackers banned?

Punjab and Haryana

Haryana has banned the sale and use of firecrackers in 14 districts near Delhi. The 14 districts are: Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Palwal, Panipat, Rewari, Sonipat and Rohtak.

The government further notified that the orders will be applicable to all cities and towns where, as per last year's data, average of ambient air quality during the month of November is in the "poor" category. Only green crackers will be allowed in Punjab and Haryana cities with moderate air quality.

Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh government earlier this week issued guidelines allowing bursting of firecrackers during Diwali and Guru Parv from 8 pm to 10 pm; from 6 am to 8 am on Chhath Puja, and from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am on New Year and Christmas. However, the sale of firecrackers which produce high-decibel sounds in violation of prescribed limits will not be allowed.

Rajasthan

The Rajasthan government on September 30 had issued a notification banning the sale and use of firecrackers from October 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. However, it has now allowed the use and sale of green crackers in the state, except in areas that come under the National Capital Region (NCR).

Karnataka

The Karnataka government on Saturday issued an order allowing the sale and bursting of only green crackers during Diwali. Stalls selling green crackers can be opened only between November 1 to 10. The stalls should be opened away from residential areas and in open grounds, apart from ensuring adequate ventilation a distance of 6 metres should be maintained between two cracker stalls.

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday said the directives of the apex court vis-a-vis firecrackers would be fully implemented. In compliance with such directives, the state government has banned manufacture of firecrackers with Barium salt content and also the 'Saravedi' kind of firecracker (wherein single units are clubbed together to make it a string). Also, storage, transportation and sale of such products are prohibited.

West Bengal

The Calcutta High Court recently banned use and sale of all kinds of firecrackers 每 including Supreme-Court approved green crackers 每 during Diwali and Kali Puja festivities. However, The Supreme Court later set aside the order of the Calcutta HC and also gave liberty to any party to approach the HCwith adequate materials, Live Law.in reported.

Odisha

Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner on September 30 had prohibited sale and use of firecrackers during the festive season between October 1 and November 1 to protect the health of the general public and curb the spread of Covid infection. However, the Orissa High Court on Friday asked the state government to make a decision by November 1 on the sale and use of green crackers during Diwali after holding discussions with fireworks sellers. The state is yet to come up with a new notification.

Puducherry

Puducherry has allowed the sale of firecrackers at low prices ahead of Diwali. Here, Papsco, a government agency, has set up shops across the UT to sell the firecrackers at subsidised rates. Papsco is providing firecrackers at a 75% subsidy to the general public. The government has allowed the sale of firecrackers in the Union Territory after two years.

With inputs from Live Law.in, Live Mint, and Hindustan Times.