Assam: Diwali celebrations with only green crackers for 2 hours

Ahead of Diwali, the Assam government has passed an order stating that only Green crackers are to be used for the upcoming festivals, including Diwali.

It is further notified that green crackers in comparison to traditional crackers have a low emission rate with smaller shells producing lesser harmful emissions to the environment.

The state government has published guidelines stating, a complete ban on selling and bursting any traditional firecrackers until further notice.

However, the selling and bursting of green crackers is allowed only for two hours, from 8 pm to 10 pm during Diwali.

Further, during Chatt Puja people are allowed to burst firecrackers between 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM 

And additionally, on Christmas and on New Year’s Eve people can burst green firecrackers from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am.

The manufacture/sale or use of firecrackers generating noise levels exceeding 125 dB(AI) or 145 dB(C) pk at a 4-meter distance from points of bursting shall be prohibited.

Besides this, bursting of crackers in silent zones including the Gauhati High Court, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Assam Secretariat, etc. have been prohibited during the festival.

This was announced via a notification signed by Diganta Barah, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati.

India having a few of the most polluted cities in the world is most prone to additional pollution from festivals, having 12 times lax in the air compared to the recent guidelines produced by the World Health Organization.