Mohali admn imposes strict firecracker curbs; E‑commerce portals prohibited from accepting online orders

The district administration has issued orders allowing use, sale and storage of only green crackers during Diwali, Guru Nanak Dev’s Parkash Purb, Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The permissible time for bursting of firecrackers has also been fixed. It is from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali (October 20), from 4 am to 5 am and 9 pm to 10 pm on Guru Nanak Dev’s Parkash Purab (November 5), 11.55 pm to 12.30 am on Christmas (December 25 and 26) and 11.55 pm to 12.30 am on the New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2025 – January 1, 2026).

The orders have been under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita restricting the use, sale, and storage of fireworks in Mohali district, in compliance with the directions of the Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Punjab.

District Magistrate Komal Mittal said, "The manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of series/chain fireworks (laris) is strictly prohibited throughout the state. Only green crackers, which do not contain barium salts, antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead or strontium chromate will be permitted for sale and use. Only licensed traders are authorised to sell approved green crackers.”

E-commerce websites, including Flipkart, Amazon, etc, were prohibited from accepting or fulfilling online orders for the sale of firecrackers within the jurisdiction of Mohali district. The Police Department and Pollution Control Department have been directed to ensure strict compliance of the prohibitory orders, which will remain in force from October 1 to January 2 next year.