A firecracker shop in Nagpur
The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court has also directed the Nagpur police commissioner to file an affidavit by Nov 3 detailing the action taken against violations of safety and noise pollution norms. The maximum permissible sound level for firecrackers is 125 dB(AI) or 145 dB(C) peak, measured at a distance of four metres, according to experts.
Generally, we stock them for farmers who need them to curb vermin infestation in fields,” said a shop owner on Central Avenue. Nagpur: High-intensity and Chinese firecrackers have once again flooded city markets ahead of Diwali , raising questions over compliance with safety, noise and air pollution norms. The violations are particularly concerning in view of Supreme Court ’s order permitting the sale of only certified green firecrackers. Green crackers, developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), are intended to reduce emissions. However, several crackers available in the market are suspected to breach these limits. “One bomb can shake an entire house. We usually don’t sell it openly, but only when some customers demand. Usually, youngsters ask for this stuff. The shopkeeper refused to allow photographs of the sutli bombs, which fall in the restricted category. Several other shops were also found storing such firecrackers in violation of safety norms.
However, a TOI visit to Fataka Bazaar on Monday found several shops selling uncertified bombs and ladis despite restrictions on their sale.
NEERI has also published a list of around 1,700 certified green firecracker manufacturers on its website, enabling buyers and enforcement agencies to verify manufacturers before making purchases. Buyers can check NEERI’s list of around 1,700 certified manufacturers. NOISE LIMIT Maximum prescribed level: 125 dB(AI) / 145 dB(C) peak at 4 metres. NOV 5 | MPCB CHECK MPCB plans to randomly purchase crackers from markets and test their noise levels at the PESO facility, Gondkhairi.
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Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) regional officer Hema Deshpande said the board had been receiving tip-offs about violations and would conduct surprise checks. “Our team will randomly buy firecrackers from different markets across the city ahead of Diwali and check if they exceed prescribed levels at the PESO facility at Gondkhairi,” she said. She, however, said local licensing bodies and law-enforcement agencies were responsible for ensuring compliance with safety and pollution norms during the festival. Hence, the list of certified manufacturers is available online and can be checked before making a buying decision,” said Joshua Krupadam, coordinator, National Centre of Excellence for Green Firecrackers, NEERI.
Deshpande also urged citizens to insist on bills while purchasing firecrackers and retain them as proof if they find uncertified stock being sold. “QR codes cannot be relied upon as we found these were misused by violators. Some manufacturers copied or stole certificates issued by NEERI. The issue has also put the spotlight on enforcement at the retail level. the availability of restricted crackers in the market raises questions about the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms before such products reach consumers While certification and QR codes are meant to help consumers identify compliant products. INFOGFX | WHAT IS ALLOWED, WHAT IS NOT? DIWALI FIRECRACKER RULES — AT A GLANCE ONLY CERTIFIED GREEN CRACKERS Firecrackers must be certified by CSIR-NEERI and PESO. BARIUM CRACKERS BANNED Firecrackers containing barium are prohibited. LADIS / CHAIN CRACKERS BANNED Joined firecrackers, commonly called ladis, are prohibited. BURSTING WINDOW Firecrackers to be used only between 8pm and 10pm under the prescribed restrictions. DON’T RELY ONLY ON QR CODES NEERI has found instances of misused, copied or stolen certificates. Check the manufacturer against NEERI’s certified list before buying. BUYER TIP Insist on a bill and retain it if you suspect uncertified or restricted crackers are being sold. Download the TOI App.