Government to intensify anti-firecrackers campaign for pollution-free Diwali

The Delhi government on Tuesday directed the authorities to intensify the anti-firecrackers campaign aimed at controlling air and noise pollution and sought strict action against violators to ensure a pollution-free Diwali.

Delhi's Environment Minister Imran Hussain issued the directions during a review meeting here attended by Divisional Commissioners and senior officers of Police besides officials from the Environment Department and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), officials said.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also wrote to the school principals and heads of colleges and sought their support in the campaign.

The government ordered restrictions on licenses for sale of fireworks and sought compliance of orders of the Supreme Court regarding noise pollution and prevention especially relating to complete ban on bursting of sound emitting firecrackers between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., an official release said.

The Environment Minister directed authorities to check the availability of imported firecrackers in the market by increasing vigilance.

The minister has also directed the Delhi Police to make arrangements regarding announcements for not bursting crackers after 10 p.m. and make PCR vans more visible in the eyes of the public, the release added.

Hussain called for a mass publicity campaign through advertisements in leading newspapers and radio.

As part of the anti-firecracker campaign, awareness programmes would be held in various schools of the city from Oct 24 to Oct 28.

Diwali will be celebrated on October 30.

--IANS

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