Jamshedpur witnessed a quieter Diwali this year as many people celebrated with sparklers, pin-wheels and similar low-decibel fireworks instead of deafening bombs and rockets. However, most residential and commercial hubs failed to honour the two-hour time window the Supreme Court had set. City SP Prabhat Kumar said no arrests had been made for gross violation of apex court guidelines on Wednesday. The Telegraph reveals how various steel city pockets fared in the compliance test

Contractors’ Area

An elite neighbourhood in Bistupur dotted with hotels, apartment blocks and commercial establishments, it heard sporadic bursting of crackers till midnight. Yet, a huge improvement compared to previous years when decibel revelry had been relentless till the dawn after Diwali.

“Noisy crackers were few and far between even though the celebrations breached the 10pm deadline. While I did not see cops stationed in the area, a PCR van was on patrol,” said Shehul Patel (32), an event organiser and resident of BS Chakraborty Apartments

Refugee Colony

In the heart of the city and close to Kalimati Road in Sakchi, this residential-cum-commercial hub witnessed bursting of all types of firecrackers from early evening. But, the celebrations were more subdued after 10pm and ended by midnight.

“We were aware of the court directives and most people decided against bursting of crackers after 10pm. There was no police vigil inside the locality. Bursting of crackers began an hour before 8pm, but there was no deafening noise. People here are educated and aware of harmful effects of noise and air pollution,” said Satnam Singh Gambhir, a businessman.

Kagalnagar

Primarily a residential area in Sonari, it also hosts schools and community organisations. Bursting of crackers here virtually ended by 10.30pm. Police vans were present on Sonari-Kagalnagar main road.

“We mostly celebrated with sparklers, flowerpots (anars), torches (rang mashal) and such fancy items. Fireworks though began an hour before 8pm. Noisy crackers were heard at times, but they were very few compared to previous years,” said Praveen Pandey, a businessman and resident of Navlakha Apartment.

Marine Drive

The Marine Drive stretch in Kadma is dotted with both posh flats and urban slums, and yet it celebrated one of its quietest Diwali this year. The revelry came to a full stop by 10.30pm.

“Bursting of noisy crackers has reduced significantly this year. We could barely hear a big bang and all was quiet after 10.30pm. In our colony, we host a Kali Puja and people were busy with chores. Also, police vans patrolled Marine Drive after 10pm,” said Chaitali Satpathi, a homemaker and resident of Awas Regency.

Dimna Road

This Mango gateway to the steel city from NH-33 hosts a large number of multi-storied apartment blocks, besides commercial establishments and markets. Tight patrolling ensured no crackers were burst after 10pm.

“It was a pleasant surprise to see bursting of crackers stop long before midnight. Also, high-decibel crackers had made way for flowerpots, sparklers and sky lanterns. Police vans patrolled not just main roads, but also lanes,” said Satish Mandal, a resident of Madhusudhan Complex.

Alok Vihar

This residential pocket of Telco rarely saw or heard firecrackers after 10pm. Low-decibel fireworks made it a peaceful Diwali. Police jeeps were on vigil near company quarters.

“My son, an eighth grader in an English-medium school, was against purchasing of high-decibel crackers this time. He insisted on sparklers instead of chocolate bombs, such was the level of awareness. It was a welcome relief for many parents like me,” said Abhishek Sen, an automobile company officer.

Compiled by Animesh Bisoee