Environment watchdog for cracker ban in Bhubaneswar during Diwali

Bhubaneswar: After Supreme Court's ban on crackers in Delhi, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) is also in support of a similar stricture citing concerns over rising air pollution in Bhubaneswar in the last couple of years during Diwali.

"The air pollution level between 5 pm and mid-night in Bhubaneswar generally goes up due to bursting of crackers during Diwali. We have been detecting the trend for the last few years.  In view of pollution, crackers should be banned in State Capital also,” said Hadibandhu Panigrahi, Regional officer of the State Pollution Control Board.

According to sources the pollution level in Bhubaneswar should stand at 100 microgram per cubic meter a day but it is rises as much as five times during Diwali.

On the other hand, cracker shops have been opened in every nook and corner of the city ahead of the festival of lights. The fire department and Commissionerate Police have issued safety guidelines for these shops and revellers as well to ensure mishap-free celebrations.

The fire department has advised cracker traders to construct shops with non-flammable materials. "All shops should maintain a distance of three metres among themselves. Flammable materials like match box, lighters and fuel should not be used inside the shops," said Rohit Kumar, assistant fire officer, Bhubaneswar.

Similarly, the safety advisory issued by Commissionerate Police has urged the public to -

1. Buy firecrackers from licensed shops
2. Not allow children to use fireworks independently but only under supervision
3. Take safety precautions indicated on the fireworks
4. Not use fireworks which create sound above 155 db
5. Not wear silk, resham or polyester clothes while using fireworks
6. Use a candle or long stick to ignite the fireworks
7. Always keep a bucket of water/sand and blanket at hand to extinguish fire
8. Keep first-aid box ready while using fireworks
9. Explode aerial fireworks in open spaces with safe landing zone
10. Dispose off used crackers properly by soaking in water
11. Never ignite fireworks while holding them
12. Not put fireworks in any container to ignite
13. Not use fireworks on animals
14. Avoid bursting crackers near schools, hostels, hospitals, residential areas with senior citizens and other crowded places
15. To call Police Control Room (Dial 100) of Fire Station (Dial 101) for help in case of emergency