Chhattisgarh: Firecrackers banned in six major cities in winter

RAIPUR: In a bid to curb air pollution during winter, the Chhattisgarh Environmental Conservation Board (CECB) has banned bursting of crackers from December 1 to January 31 in six major cities of the state, including Raipur. It may be noted that the wedding season also fall during the ban period.
A department official said that the ban on firecrackers has been imposed to reduce air pollution and to keep the environment clean and healthy during the winter season.Besides Raipur, the ban on firecrackers has been enforced in Bilaspur, Bhilai, Durg, Raigarh and Korba. However, as per the order of the Supreme Court, people will be allowed to burst firecrackers from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am considering Christmas and New Year festivities, the official added.
The official said that the level of air pollution across the state increases during winter and the decision has been taken to maintain the prescribed levels of pollution. "CECB has zero tolerance policy towards pollution, hence co-ordinated efforts are required from the authorities and people to reduce pollution. Continuous efforts by the department to curb pollution in the last two years have resulted in a lot of improvement in the quality of air and a decrease in the level of air pollution in the state capital", the official said.
To monitor the level of air pollution, Raipur has been divided into different grid levels, and Raipur currently comes into the category of 'good' due to decrease in the level of air pollution in the city. The level of air pollution in the city showed a massive decrease during Diwali which was only possible due to the cooperation of industries and citizens, the official said.
The state has been declared as air pollution control region under the provisions of Air Pollution (Prevention and Control) Act 1981. CECB had issued a circular in this regard in November last year, which stated that the ban on firecrackers will be imposed during winter every year to curb pollution in the state, the official said.