West Bengal Introduces New Guidelines for Fireworks During Kali Puja and Chhath Festival

Kolkata, October 29 (Daily Kiran) : The West Bengal government has announced new guidelines regarding the use of fireworks during the upcoming Kali Puja and Chhath festivals. The aim is to strike a balance between the festive spirit, environmental protection, and public safety.

During a press conference held at the Nabanna state secretariat in Kolkata, West Bengal’s Director General of Police, Siddh Nath Gupta, and Home Secretary, Sanghamitra Ghosh, outlined the new regulations.

Under the new guidelines, only environmentally friendly “green” fireworks will be permitted for use during these festivals. For loud fireworks, a maximum sound limit of 125 decibels has been set, while other types are restricted to 90 decibels.

The rules stipulate that fireworks may be lit from 8 PM to 10 PM on the night of Kali Puja, and from 6 AM to 8 AM during Chhath Puja. Residents of multi-story buildings are advised to monitor smoke levels while using fireworks.

Additionally, flying paper lanterns, known as ‘Aakashdeep,’ will now require a license from the fire department. There is a complete ban on fireworks within a 100-meter radius of hospitals and old age homes.

The government has also mandated that firework markets must be located away from densely populated areas and will be subject to strict oversight.

In a related development, Kolkata police reported the seizure of 110 kilograms of banned fireworks during recent enforcement actions, with legal action being taken against those involved.

DGP Siddh Nath Gupta warned that violators of these regulations would face legal consequences. The state government has set up a helpline for citizens to report any complaints regarding fireworks.

Home Secretary Sanghamitra Ghosh urged the public to celebrate responsibly, ensuring that no one else is inconvenienced or put at risk during the festivities. She emphasized the importance of adhering strictly to the new guidelines.