Gurugam: Administration sticking on to apex court’s directive to allow only green crackers

GURUGRAM: It is a big challenge for the district administration to implement Supreme Court’s order to allow only green crackers, which emit low emission and sound level, for Diwali. The officials are hopeful that they would seek a way out to combat the complication, especially in a meeting to be held with traders within a couple of days.


Munish Sharma, additional deputy commissioner said, "Thanks to the newer technologies, promising green crackers are in testing phase. For instance

Dr Rakesh Kumar

of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Environmental Engineering Research Institute is working on this subject. Manufacturers have to take the lead to commercialise them".

CSIR was entrusted by Union minister for science and environment, Dr Harsh Vardhan to prepare eco-friendly crackers to reduce air pollution caused by firecrackers during Diwali every year.

CSIR-NEERI

is conducting research to come up with such crackers which will have 30-35% reduction in emission of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and 35-40% reduction in SO2 and NOx (Oxides of Sulphur and Nitrogen). Their sound level too would remain within the permitted limits (less than 120 decibels).

Sharma further added, "For Gurugram, since it is a part of NCR, we may allow community-level celebrations, in case those seeking permission can provide details on green crackers they have procured. Similarly, licenses will only be given to those retailers that can supply evidence of such low-emission crackers. This is a complex situation before us but managing environment and breathless space is quite vital for all of us."

However the real picture is likely to emerge when the officials will sit with traders to discuss the modalities of implementation of sale of green crackers as well as issuing licenses to the deserving.

As far as deciding the venue for fire cracker stalls are concerned, sub-divisional magistrate

Sanjeev Singla

said that no stall was set up last year because of the blanket ban on fire cracking. Before this, a common area was designated at one spot in the city, where the crackers were sold by the pool of the traders. He indicated towards following the same pattern this year as well.