Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has imposed restrictions on the bursting of firecrackers in the State during Deepavali festival.
OSPCB Member Secretary Dr. K Murugesan today has issued guidelines to control air pollution in different parts of the State.
People are allowed to burst crackers between 7 PM and 9 PM on the day of Deepavali. The bursting of crackers within a 100-metre radius of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, courts and religious institutions has been banned.
The OPSCB has banned crackers that produce a sound of more than 125 decibels. Only green crackers will be allowed and the use of chemical firecrackers having barium nitrate is banned.
“Avoid using firecrackers near slums and structures that are easily flammable on road and busy traffic,” the Member Secretary Dr.Murugesan advised.
The Board has also restricted children below 10 years to burst sound generating fire crackers.
Dr.Murugesan appealed to people to wear cotton clothes while bursting firecrackers.
The Supreme Court has also banned production and sale of crackers except green crackers. Uses of Barium and banned chemicals in fire crackers have also been prohibited, he stated.
A major concern is that the level of pollution in Bhubaneswar, the capital city known for its greenery, is gradually increasing despite the fact that it is the only city in the country which has a wildlife sanctuary in its backyard.