Kolkata: In a reversal of its last week’s decision, Kolkata Police has decided to test fireworks that will be sold at various baji bazars in the city next week.
Earlier, Kolkata Police had said there was no need to carry out the test as only green crackers with the National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI) certification were allowed to be sold and everything else was illegal.However, with many complaining that tests were necessary to measure the noise and smoke pollution levels, the police changed its stance.
“All parties involved in the fireworks testing have been informed. Tests will be conducted from all angles,” a senior official of Kolkata Police said, hinting that the test is likely to be conducted on Friday.
This year, there will be four baji bazaars in the city and 68 more across the rest of the state, focusing exclusively on green fireworks. However, environmental activists have raised concerns about the widespread availability of unauthorised non-green, conventional high-decibel, and smoke-emitting fireworks in the markets. Naba Dutta, the convenor of Sabuj Mancha and an environmental activist, announced a citizens’ convention on Oct 24, stating, “Fireworks are entering the state from outside. How can we assume they are within the 125-decibel limit without testing? How will we detect illegal fireworks sold under the guise of green fireworks?”
Recalling last year’s experience, many have argued for the necessity of fireworks testing, but not in a hasty manner. Last year, no representative from the NEERI was present at the fireworks testing facility in Tala Park. Yet, the final approval for fireworks is supposed to be based on their certification.