Bursting of firecrackers allowed from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali

The Ludhiana police have allowed bursting of crackers on Diwali for two hours. Residents can burst crackers from 8 pm to 10 pm on the festival.

Besides, the police have also allowed to burst crackers on the occasion of Gurpurb between 4 am and 5 am and from 9 pm to 10 pm, on November 5.

Besides, the authorities have issued guidelines for residents and cracker dealers, which are to be followed while celebrating the festivals. The authorities have specifically stated that only “green crackers”, which do not contain barium salts or compounds antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead or strintium chromate, will be allowed for sales and bursting. People having no licence would not be allowed to sell firecrackers and no other than green crackers will be purchased or stocked. The crackers cannot be purchased through any online platform. Bursting of the same will not be allowed near sensitive areas such as hospitals or educational institutes. And it has also been advised to burn firecrackers in the open so that patients or elderly persons should not suffer from respiratory issues.

Talking to The Tribune, Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma said the crackers would be allowed for two hours on both festivals. Sharma said in case of blatant violation of the guidelines, an FIR would be registered against offenders.

He said only prescribed crackers could be burst, keeping in mind saving the environment from pollution.

Dealers at the cracker market said a huge rush of customers was witnessed in the wholesale cracker market.

“Being Sunday today, we expect maximum rush at stalls and it seems to be a good time for cracker dealers,” said Pradeep Gupta, president of the Cracker Dealer Association here.

At the same time, youngsters feel that for one day, the time must not be restricted to just two hours. “We don’t burst crackers throughout the year and wait only for Diwali to celebrate the festival. Till late, rituals are held and two hours are not sufficient to burst firecrackers,” said Raghuraj, a school student.