When are you allowed to burst crackers this Deepavali in Chennai? Check details of police advisory here

“According to environment protection rules, no firecrackers making more than 125 decibels of sound should be manufactured, used or sold. Chinese-made crackers should not be sold or used,” the police noted.

The police have provided special attention to busy shopping areas like T Nagar, Pondy Bazaar, Purasawalkam, Mylapore, Flower Bazaar, Washermenpet and Koyambedu, where large gatherings are expected in the upcoming days in the lead-up to the festival.

As per a statement issued by the police, 17 temporary watch towers have been set up in T Nagar, Washermenpet, Kilpauk, and Flower Bazaar areas, and an additional 42 CCTV cameras have been installed in these areas.

Five temporary police control rooms and 10 temporary help desks have also been set up for public convenience. In addition, through the public address system, the police will provide instructions to prevent thefts and crimes, and regulate traffic.

Drone cameras, four-wheeler/two-wheeler patrolling, and deployment of mobile X-ray and baggage scanner vehicles at malls and commercial establishments are other measures.

For safety purposes, the police noted that women are advised to wear scarves to prevent chain snatching and the police personnel would be monitoring the movements in plain clothes.

The public has been advised to be cautious and not to burst crackers near articles that are easily inflammable and parents have been asked to allow children to burst crackers only under adult supervision. Bursting crackers near thatched huts or houses and lighting crackers before any cracker shop for advertisement purposes is prohibited.

The firecracker shops have been told not to use any chimneys, candles or petromax lights either in the shop or nearby.

In case of any fire accidents, the public is requested to immediately contact the police department helpline 100, fire and rescue department helpline 101, medical emergency 108 and national helpline 112.

According to the city police, in 2022, 14 cases were registered against the cracker shops for violation, and 271 cases were registered against persons who have burst crackers beyond the permitted time and beyond the permitted decibel levels.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government declared holiday for government offices and educational institutions on November 13 (Monday), the day after Deepavali, to facilitate students, parents, teachers and government employees who might be returning after travelling to their hometowns to celebrate the festival. The order noted that the holiday would be compensated with a working day on November 18 (Saturday).