Go for pollution-free Diwali, families in Kolkata apartments urged

With Diwali around the corner, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board has urged inhabitants of residential complexes in Kolkata and suburbs to refrain from bursting illegal firecrackers, an official said Friday.

In a bid to curb noise and air pollution, a consequence of bursting noisy firecrackers (more than 90 decibels), the board together with Kolkata Police authorities will hold a rally Oct 21 to generate awareness on the perils of illegal firecrackers.

"This time we had a meeting with office bearers of the committees of over 100 residential complexes in and around the city.

"We have requested them to take the help of the families residing in these complexes to ensure norms are adhered to," board chairman Binoy K. Dutta told IANS.

The development of suburban areas and townships like Rajarhat, New Town, Howrah etc. over the years has necessitated the mushrooming of towering housing estates.

He said that while the police will keep watch and intercept illegal firecrackers, officials of the pollution control agency will monitor the situation by dispatching mobile squads during Diwali and Kali puja celebrations here Oct 23.

In addition, a control room will be set up at the headquarters of the board here where denizens can call in to report grievances or incidences of bursting illegal firecrackers.

Last year, the board prohibited the use of 89 types of firecrackers, which emit sound more than 90 decibels.