Amaravati: At a time period when several states have banned the bursting of firecrackers for Diwali celebration, Andhra Pradesh has allowed just green crackers to be burnt for two hours, between 8 and 10 PM.
A government statement read, “In towns and cities where air quality is moderate or below, only green crackers will be sold and the timings for use and bursting of crackers will be restricted to two hours, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. during Diwali and Gurpurab.”
The equivalent has been allowed from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Chhath festival and 11:55 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. during Christmas and New Year’s eve.
On November 5, the National Green Tribunal published directions for remedial activity against air pollution as firecrackers will worsen COVID-19, representing a larger danger to the lives and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals.
The note read that the NGT directed to impose a ban on sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in areas where the air quality is poor, very poor and severe.
The government directed all officials to implement the firecrackers orders.
With Diwali right around the corner, many states and Union Territories have chosen to enforce a ban on firecrackers and its sale.
Delhi Police has stated that all licenses issued for the selling of firecracker in the national capital have been suspended and further action will be made on National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) directions.
With increasing COVID-19 cases and air pollution levels, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on November 5 declared a ban on firecrackers in the national capital just before Diwali till November 30.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered a “total ban” on Monday on the selling and using of firecrackers in the NCR, effective from the midnight of Tuesday till the midnight of November 30. The Uttar Pradesh government likewise gave orders to the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration on Tuesday, requiring a strict implementation of the NGT order.
