A division bench of Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed that police and West Bengal Pollution Control Board along with Union government organisations — National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) — will jointly monitor “to ensure only green fireworks are burst during the festive season”.
“We hope and trust that the festival of lights does not become a cause of concern,” observed the bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Apurba Sinha Ray.
“No firecrackers other than the green crackers bearing QR code would be sold in the Bazi Bazar which is proposed to be held in Kolkata on and from 18.10.2022 … representatives of PESO/NEERI shall also be present at the Bazi Bazar and assist the Pollution Control Board /police personnel…”, directed the bench.
The bench has asked the pollution control board and the state to submit a report and fixed the next hearing a week after the court’s Puja vacation ends.
The directive was issued in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) moved by Sabuj Mancha, an environment platform, in 2021.
“I have directed our officials to measure the noise levels and clear only those green fireworks which will comply with the 90 decibels limit in the state,” WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra told The Telegraph.
The permissible limit of fireworks in the rest of the country is 125 decibels at 4 metres from the point of origin. Any state can make the limit more stringent.
“We have not received the order so far but will definitely participate in the joint monitoring of green fireworks,” said a senior official from PESO.
“We will soon write to all concerned officials and departments to urge them that today’s order gets implemented,” said Naba Dutta, secretary of Sabuj Mancha.