Covid-19: Sale, use of firecrackers in NCR, cities with 'poor' air quality banned

During Christmas, New Year, green crackers can be used from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a total ban on the sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers during the Covid-19 pandemic in the NCR and all cities/towns in the country, where the ambient air quality falls under the poor and above category.

The NGT also clarified that its earlier direction to restrict the use of firecrackers in cities/towns, where air quality is moderate or below, to green crackers only and for not more than two hours and only for the celebration of any specified festivals or permitted occasions will continue. Such festivals will be specified by the states, the order said.

The NGT principal bench headed by Adarsh Kumar Goel said the decision was taken as the pandemic is continuing and is aggravated by the addition of firecrackers.

The Tribunal passed this order after hearing a plea seeking a ban on crackers in NCR due to rising pollution and fear of increasing Covid-19 cases.

The bench took note of a report filed by the Central Pollution Control Board, which maintained that 'overall, this year Deepawali has witnessed higher background levels of pollutants.

"Other than specified festivals, prior permission of the district magistrate of the area will be required for use of crackers for a limited period which will be given having regard to air quality," the Tribunal in its latest order said.

"During Christmas and New Year, green crackers can be used from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am only at places where air quality is moderate or below as directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court," the order said.