Gurgaon bans sale and use of firecrackers, to kick in from Nov 1

Green firecrackers will be allowed on Diwali or other festivals from 8 pm to 10 pm. While on Christmas and New Year’s Eve, these are allowed only from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am. The administration officials added that E-commerce companies such as Flipkart and Amazon will not accept orders for any type of fireworks.

Moreover, regional authorities such as the Haryana State Pollution Control Board Gurgaon have been directed to regularly monitor air quality and upload data on the relevant websites as per the directions of the Supreme Court and the Central Pollution Control Board.

The implementation will be ensured by the Police Commissioner, Commissioner of Municipal Corporation Gurugram, and Manesar, all SDMs, Tehsildars/Naib Tehsildars/BDOs, DCP/ACP, EO/Secretary of Municipal Committees, and all SHOs, and fire officers.

The order by DC Yadav stated, “Whereas, rising air pollution during winter is a serious health concern, especially with regard to high levels of Particulate Matters such as PM 2.5 and PM 10 exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards 2009 and several expert comments and other reports related to air pollution have indicated that during this time period, air pollution in Haryana is at its peak and it has also been observed that various episodic events occurring during winter months aggravate air pollution levels in Haryana; Whereas, it is a well established scientific fact that high air pollution causes serious environmental risk with adverse effect on the health of people, particularly vulnerable sections of the population like children, elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory and heart disease. Whereas, amongst various events, emissions from the bursting of firecrackers during Diwali and other festivals like Gurupurab, Christmas, and New Year’s eve etc, not only release but also increase particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10) concentration in ambient air vis-a-vis contributes to rise in pollution levels across Haryana.”

Citing various Supreme Court judgments where the apex court observed that “the health of the people in Delhi and in the NCR must take precedence over any commercial of other interests and, therefore, a graded regulation (of firecrackers) is necessary which would eventually result in prohibition”, the DC stated, “the Hon’ble apex court observed that use of reduced emission firecrackers (improved crackers) – (a) Avoidance of use of ash as desiccant or filler materials in crackers for reduction in particulate matters by 15-20%. These can be implemented subject to approval by PESO, and (b) usage of charcoal meeting specifications of explosives and pyrotechnics as prescribed by PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization). Use of reduced emission firecrackers (green crackers: Safe water and air sprinklers (SIVAS), low emission sound and light emitting functional crackers with PM reduction by 30-35% and a significant reduction in NOx and S02 due to in-situ water generation as dust suppressant and low cost due to the usage of low-cost oxidants. These can be implemented subject to approval by PESO.’”

#Order | District Magistrate of Gurugram, Shri Nishant Kumar Yadav, issues order under Section 144 of Cr.P.C. 1973 to combat air pollution. Bans joined firecrackers, all firecrackers except green ones, and barium salts in fireworks in Gurugram District from 01.11.2023 to… pic.twitter.com/ideRwe5hdL

— DC Gurugram (@DC_Gurugram) September 28, 2023

He further mentioned orders by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) wherein the body imposed a total ban on sale and use of all kind of firecrackers during COVID pandemic in the NCR and all cities/town in the country where the air quality was under the poor and above category, with further direction to restrict the use of firecrackers in cities/towns, where air quality is moderate or below to green cracker only and for the duration of not more than 2 hours and only for celebration of any specified festivals or permitted occasions. “Keeping in view of the above-mentioned background and in public interest, it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale and use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) and all kinds of firecrackers, except for green crackers, Barium salts in fireworks are also to be banned, within the limits of the district of Gurgaon,” the order stated.