Firecrackers Testing Conducted in Mumbai Ahead of Diwali 2018 Following Supreme Court Order

Mumbai, October 25: The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Awaaz Foundation on Wednesday conducted the testing of firecrackers in Mumbai, following the Supreme Court order saying only licensed vendors would be allowed to sell "green firecrackers" which are eco-friendly. According to a Mumbai Mirror report, the highest sound level recorded this year while testing was from serial crackers of 5000 series and measured 113 decibels, which, said the Awaaz Foundation has decreased over the years. Sale of Safe and Green Firecrackers Allowed, No Complete Ban Across India, Rules Supreme Court Ahead of Diwali 2018.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai and Thane District Fireworks Dealers’ Welfare Association has said that all firecrackers available in the market produced noise less than 125 decibels and that they were prepared to implement the Supreme Court order. No Such Thing as Green Firecrackers, Say Fireworks Manufacturers And Vendors.

However, the concern raised by activists is that all firecrackers violate the noise limit of 45-50 decibels in residential areas every year. “The police give licences to vendors and are also in charge of implementation of noise rules. It will now be up to them to ensure polluting crackers are not burst,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, NGO Awaaz Foundation as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile, crackers manufacturers in Tamil Nadu have decided to file a review petition in the Supreme Court against its order permitting only green crackers. The Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association has said that there was no such thing as eco-friendly crackers, indicating that it would be difficult to produce green crackers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2018 03:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).