PCB, police raze illegal firecracker godowns

KOLKATA: The state pollution control board has, with the help of police, started demolishing godowns where banned firecrackers are stored.
However, officials admit that more needs to be done. Decibel norms laid down by Calcutta High Court will continue to be flouted unless offenders are severely punished, said an official. The state noise monitoring committee will soon hold a meeting on the issue.
The environment department's law officer, Biswajit Mukherjee, said all godowns storing banned crackers would be demolished.The Burrabazar Fireworks Dealers' Association has given a list of these godown in its report.
"A person violating sound norms by bursting banned crackers should be punished as severely as a burglar who is jailed for five years if found guilty. But people do not equate noise norm violators with thieves and robbers. So, we find it very difficult to find witnesses to depose against suspects we prosecute in court. Offenders thus go scot free," said Mukherjee, urging people "to be more aware of the issue".
"During Diwali this year, we found that banned crackers were burst in an apartment building in which at least 20 doctors live," Mukherjee said. "People have to be more vocal in their protest."
One of the biggest godowns demolished is in Baranagar, sources say. PCB officials said stronger measures would be adopted to prevent banned crackers from entering the market next year. Environment groups have demanded that the source of banned crackers being identified and sealed.