Kolkata’s air quality turned ‘poor’ after Diwali and Kali Puja festivities last year
Kolkata’s air quality turned ‘poor’ after Diwali and Kali Puja festivities last year
Ahead of the Diwali festival, the Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal government and the Pollution Control Board to ensure that only green crackers with QR codes are sold in the state. The court in its order said that it is hopeful and confident that the festival of lights will not become a cause for concern where the demon of pollution has poisoned the air and caused irreparable harm to the health of the population at large.
A division bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Apoorva Sinha Ray said in an order on October 19, “No crackers other than green crackers having QR code shall be sold in the proposed Baji-Bazar in Kolkata with effect from 18.10. Told.
The Court, while issuing a set of directions, held that the directions were illustrative in nature and should be in addition to any other direction or measure taken by the Pollution Control Board and the State of West Bengal to ensure sale and bursting of only green crackers. in the state of West Bengal. The Bench also directed that the State Pollution Control Board as well as the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata should deploy appropriate number of personnel at Baji Bazar to ensure the implementation of the said direction.
Other directions of the Court also included that State Pollution Control Board representatives and police personnel should be free to inspect the firecrackers sold in Baji Bazar and that the police personnel should confiscate any banned firecrackers that are sold for sale. was presented for. Market.
“Representatives from PESO (Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation)/NEERI (National Environment and Engineering Research Institute) will also be present at Baji Bazar and assist the Pollution Control Board/Police personnel in determining whether firecrackers are to be offered for sale. Effect of requisite QR code,” the order said.
The Bench urged the State Pollution Control Board and the State of West Bengal to take “public awareness measures including issue of advertisements in newspapers, announcements on radio/television/social media platforms etc. to spread awareness regarding restrictions on sale and bursting of crackers during the festive season and pollution and its beneficial effects on the environment”.
Kolkata’s air quality had turned ‘poor’ last year after Diwali and Kali Puja festivities. Around 720 people were arrested in the city last year for bursting banned firecrackers.