In a recent statement, Santanu Dutta, president of the Burrabazar Fireworks Dealers Association, defended the use of fireworks in light of noise complaints from the community
KOLKATA: Amid widespread criticism over noise violations during Diwali-Kali Puja, which many residents described as among the worst in recent years, Burrabazar Fireworks Dealers Association president Santanu Dutta defended the use of display fireworks, arguing that fireworks will naturally produce sound and that products sold through licensed channels remain within the Supreme Court’s 125 dB limit. Everything is under 125 decibels,” Dutta said. It should be relaxed from 8 pm to 12 midnight. “Around 30% do get disturbed.
Because you don’t hear it all the time, “It appears to be piercing your ears. Because they are unsafe, he said some traditional crackers such as kali patka have been allowed, while items like chocolate bombs and dodoma remain banned.
On complaints that crackers were burst well beyond the two-hour window fixed by the Supreme Court, Dutta said the restriction was impractical and should be relaxed. He said he would appeal to the national fireworks federation to move the Supreme Court seeking an extension of the permitted window from two hours to four hours. It will be practical and feasible,” he said. Dutta, who said he works out of Bazi Bazaar and coordinates with the administration, argued that tighter bans often lead to more violations rather than better compliance. If it is easily available, the craze will go away,” he said. He said that even if firecrackers disturb a section of residents, the celebrations are limited to a one or two festive days. He said that many people stock fireworks in advance and also purchase them from markets outside Burrabazar, including Nungi and Champahati. On the kind of fireworks being sold, Dutta said the demand is now largely for aerial display items, sky shots and repeaters. “Maximum is sky items, sky display, repeater shots,” he said, adding that a three-piece shell costs around Rs 700. “Chocolate bomb, dodoma is banned because it is unsafe,” he said.
“Anything creating noise will sound loud. That is why it hurts. “Diwali night, people enjoy till midnight. We will appeal to the federation. “More the bans, the higher the violation. But this is just one or two days. This is just once in a year,” he reasoned. Dutta also pointed to other occasions when fireworks are used, including Chhath, when crackers are often burst in the early morning.
In densely populated areas and slums, ground-level noise is more noticeable, while in high-end areas the sound comes both from the lifting charge and from the burst at a height of 100 ft or 200 ft. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in Kolkata Stay updated with the latest Kolkata news.
Dutta said the impact of fireworks varies across localities. He said fireworks have long been part of festive culture and questioned why similar discussions do not take place around other celebrations. One cannot force the closure,” he said.
“Holi, Diwali, Eid, Christmas — this is not discussed. This has been a tradition since childhood. Download the TOI App.