Diwali 2023 in Jowai: District Magistrate enforces strict firecracker regulations

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 4, 2023

In light of the Diwali Festival on November 12, the District Magistrate of West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai, has enforced Section 144 Cr.P.C prohibiting the sale, purchase, and procurement of foreign-made firecrackers and the use of joined firecrackers (Series crackers or laris) which are known to cause significant air, noise, and solid waste problem.

The order also restricts the use of firecrackers generating noise levels exceeding 125 dB (A1) or 145 dB (C) peak at a distance of 4 meters from the point of bursting.

Bursting of crackers within 100 meters of Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Primary and District Health Care Centres, Educational Institutions, Courts, Religious places, or any other areas designated as Silent Zones by the relevant authorities is prohibited.

The prohibitory order specifies that the bursting of firecrackers is permitted only from 8:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Furthermore, the sale of firecrackers shall only be through licensed traders and it shall be ensured that these licensed traders sell only those firecrackers which have been permitted by this offce and are in compliance to Central Pollution Control Board guidelines.

To maintain air quality and noise standards, ambient noise limits have been established for different areas within the district, including in the Industrial area: 75 dB (Day Time), 70 dB (Night Time), Commercial area: 65 dB (Day Time), 55 dB (Night Time), Residential area: 55 dB (Day Time), 45 dB (Night Time) and Silence Zone: 50 dB (Day Time), 40 dB (Night Time).