PCB, cops, residents of high-rises join hands to fight noise demon
Times of India | 30 October 2024
123 Kolkata: Cops in Kolkata and Bidhannagar have warned Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) of high-rise gated complexes about the legal implications of burning illegal crackers — three years in jail — alongside handing out the dos and don'ts to be observed during Diwali and Kali Puja. They stressed on recognising green crackers, not releasing sky lanterns, bursting crackers within the 8 pm-10 pm window, keeping terraces out of bounds, and not playing loud music post 10 pm.
In an effort to strictly enforce the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders on fireworks restrictions, West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) also announced a city-wide drone surveillance initiative. The drones, equipped with advanced noise-level detectors and high-resolution cameras, will enable authorities to identify and document violations in real time, providing irrefutable evidence for legal action.
"We started an awareness campaign at high-rises last week, and each police station was instructed to visit complexes and call their representatives for meetings to make them aware of the dos and don'ts this Diwali," said a senior officer of Bidhannagar City Police.
Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Verma said they met the representatives of RWAs on multiple occasions and apprised them of the consequences of burning banned crackers. Sources at Lalbazar said most high-rises have been advised to keep their terraces shut after 10 pm on Diwali and share their contact person's phone number with their guards.
Rajesh Kumar, principal secretary of the environment department and WBPCB member secretary, affirmed that the high-tech approach in use of drone surveillance will be a powerful deterrent against environmental violations.
WBPCB convened a meeting with puja organisers and local RWAs on Tuesday to discuss compliance. They outlined permitted time slots for green fireworks — 8 pm-10 pm on Kali Puja/Diwali, 6 am-8 am on Chhath Puja and 11.55 pm-12.30 am on Christmas and New Year's Eve.
"Given the worsening air quality in Kolkata, we should consider returning to a traditional Diwali celebration, where lighting diyas symbolises joy without harming the environment," said WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra.
CSIR-NEERI defines green crackers as fireworks made with a reduced shell size, without ash, and additives, such as dust suppressants, are used in lower amounts to reduce emission with specific reference to particulate matter (PM). Green crackers also produce nearly 30% lower emission and noise when compared to conventional fireworks.
Since last year, cops have started slapping charges under the Explosives Substance Act on anyone found with banned firecrackers, be it sellers, transporters or customers, which can attract a jail term of three years.
Residents of high-rises have also taken a slew of measures to slay the noise demon. While at South City, there will be volunteers to ensure only green crackers are burst on Thursday between 8 pm to 10 pm, Daffodil Greens in Tollygunge has banned bursting of any cracker on the premises.
"We decided that no resident will be allowed to burst crackers in the common passage or terrace. They can burn some sparklers from their balconies but nowhere in the common area," said Sudip Roychowdhury, secretary at Daffodil Greens.
At Siddha Pines in Rajarhat, the RWA has banned letting off of rockets, shells and firepots along with sky lanterns following an accident last year. "We are following all stipulations laid down by cops, and we will not allow burning of any dangerous cracker even if they are certified as green. The terraces will be shut on Kali Puja and Diwali evenings," said Manav Mehra, the RWA secretary.
An analysis of data collected by the Kolkata Police control room last year led a section of senior officers to conclude there was greater compliance with firecracker rules among residents of high-rises and housing societies. However, there were exceptions. Both Kolkata Police and Maheshtala cops blamed a condo on the west Kolkata borders that encouraged multiple shell firing. Similar allegations were levelled against another complex in the Kasba area. Housing complexes in Anandapur had alleged residents of a high-rise in the area were letting off rockets.
"We are deploying cops in plain clothes close to these apartments. They will be travelling in autos and keeping a watch post 10 pm," said an officer.