Beijing mulls fireworks ban

Beijing authorities are mulling a fireworks ban in the city throughout the year due to heavy air pollution and casualties caused by the crackers during festivals.

A draft amendment on the Beijing municipal fireworks safety and management regulations on Thursday was rendered to the standing committee of the Beijing municipal people's congress for deliberation, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to an official with the legal affairs office of the Beijing municipal government, dozens of people were injured or killed in fireworks-triggered accidents during the Chinese Lunar New Year between 2015 and 2017.

The number of heavy air pollution days during the festival reached two to four days each year during the past five years, said the official.

The office solicited public opinion about the draft amendment, with 83.1 per cent of participants supporting the ban.

Lawmakers also advised reducing the number of sales booths and cutting off channels for illegal sales.

Currently, use of fireworks within Beijing's Fifth Ring Road is allowed only on Chinese Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival.

--IANS

ksk/bg