File photo of ‘phanush’ being released in the sky in Kolkata
Bidhannagar police officials clarified that there was a complete ban on release of sky lanterns within 10-km radius of the Kolkata airport to prevent any aerial mishap.
Environment secretary Sumit Gupta said the govt would hold discussions with the fire services department to frame safety guidelines and introduce the special system for speedy licence roll-out. We will discuss with the fire brigade to frame safety guidelines and create the single window for clearing of licence applications,” Gupta said. Fire cracker sellers, however, said they wouldn’t sell chinese sky lanterns at their stalls like previous years.
Kolkata: The state fire department is planning to come up with a single-window clearance system to expedite the processing of applications seeking licence that would allow revellers to release sky lanterns, hot-air balloons or ‘phanush’ during Kali Puja , Diwali or Chhath Puja in the city. “We know the tradition of flying sky lanterns is usually associated with the old houses of north Kolkata. The warning against release of ‘phanush’ or hot-air balloons without a valid licence during Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja was issued by state DGP Siddhnath Gupta at a news conference at Nabanna. The meeting was chaired by home secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh and attended by Kolkata Police commissioner Ajay Nand, fire services DG Anuj Sharma and other senior officials.
The announcement was made on Friday, a day after the state govt had warned that flying sky lanterns, ‘phanush’ or hot-air balloons without prior fire department permission or licence could invite legal action.