Ahead of Diwali, Haryana govt bans crackers in 14 districts near Delhi
Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Palwal, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak, and Sonipat are among the 14 districts where the selling and bursting of crackers are prohibited.
Haryana has prohibited the sale and usage of firecrackers in 14 districts around Delhi, the state government announced today in a statement. Online purchasing sites, too, are unable to make such deals. The state government stated that bursting crackers could negatively impact the respiratory health of vulnerable individuals and worsen the health of COVID-19 positive people in home isolation. It also cited National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court orders as justification for the action.
Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Palwal, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak, and Sonipat are among the 14 districts where the selling and bursting of crackers are prohibited. The order will also apply to cities and towns where the average ambient air quality throughout November (as determined by previous year's statistics) is terrible or higher, while green crackers will be authorised in areas with moderate or lower air quality, according to the statement. According to the authorities, only green crackers are authorised for weddings and other special events.
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"On Diwali days or other celebrations such as Gurupurab, the hours for using and exploding crackers shall strictly be from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. exclusively in cities/towns/areas where air quality is moderate or lower. Chatt will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. On Christmas and New Year's Eve, when such fireworks begin around midnight, i.e. at midnight, it will be only from 11:55 p.m. to 12:30 a.m, "stated the government directive.
The government stated that in locations where cracker consumption and bursting is permitted, individuals would be urged to explode crackers in groups to reduce the impact. It went on to say that officials will establish sites where people might light fireworks and publicise them to make people informed. Due to worries about hazardous air pollution levels, the government of neighbouring Delhi outlawed the storage, sale, and usage of firecrackers in the national capital last month.
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