Odisha Cracks Down on Diwali Firecrackers: Only 7–9 PM Slot Allowed
In a decisive move to curb pollution and ensure public safety, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has issued stringent guidelines for Diwali celebrations this year. Firecracker use will be strictly limited to a two-hour window—from 7 PM to 9 PM—across the state.
The Board has banned firecrackers exceeding 125 decibels and urged citizens to opt for certified green crackers to reduce environmental impact. Bursting is permitted only in open spaces, while parks, silence zones, roads, and crowded public areas are off-limits.
Additionally, firecrackers are prohibited within 100 meters of sensitive zones like hospitals, schools, religious places, and courts.
Children under 10 are barred from handling high-decibel fireworks.
The OSPCB has also issued safety advisories: wear cotton clothing, keep water and sand nearby, avoid hand-lighting crackers, and never re-ignite failed ones.
Protective goggles are recommended, and people are advised to maintain distance from the elderly and animals.
To enforce these measures, authorities will invoke the Orissa Fire Crackers and Loudspeakers (Regulation) Act, 1958, and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. Citizens are encouraged to report violations to local officials.
These steps reflect Odisha’s growing commitment to balancing festive joy with environmental and public health concerns.
