Diwali: Tamil Nadu gets 6-7am, 7-8pm slots for bursting crackers
In line with the Supreme Court's direction, Tamil Nadu government said today that people in the state would be allowed to burst firecrackers between 6-7am and 7-8pm on Diwali. The government also issued a set of guidelines regarding bursting of crackers, including avoiding certain types of fireworks. It also appealed to Diwali revellers to give up crackers with high decibel and pollution levels.
Air-quality before and after Diwali would be studied as well
The guidelines also include avoiding bursting firecrackers near hospitals, places of worship, near huts and other facilities that could easily catch fire. The Government also said residents welfare associations can take steps to ensure that people burst crackers in groups, after obtaining due permission from the respective local bodies. Further, air-quality before and after Diwali would be studied by State Pollution Control Board.
SC allowed change in cracker-bursting time for southern states
On October-30, Tamil Nadu government had said it'd consult stakeholders regarding the Supreme Court's decision of allowing the state to pick a two-hour slot for bursting firecrackers on Diwali. SC had modified its earlier order of fixing an 8-10pm slot for bursting crackers on Diwali, saying the time would be changed in southern states like TN and Puducherry, but not exceed the two-hour duration.
