A day after the Calcutta High Court rapped the state government, “ Is the state at all interested in putting a ban on firecrackers…” and the police prohibiting the flying of sky lanterns during Kali Puja and Diwali , the Kolkata Police has ramped up surveillance and enforcement, introducing drones to monitor high-rise rooftops and narrow lanes as part of a citywide drive to curb the sale and bursting of banned firecrackers.

A coordination meeting with representatives of high-rise residential complexes outlined the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to keep a close watch on rooftops and other hard-to-police spots, a senior police official said.

“The use of drones will be a key feature of the city-wide surveillance plan. It will allow us to detect and prevent the bursting of banned firecrackers, especially at night,” the official added.

The intensified operation has already produced results. Authorities said raids across the city have seized large quantities of illegal firecrackers, including a haul of 2,824 kg, and separate seizures amounting to 282.4 kg.

Police teams from Lalbazar and the detective department have led the crackdown, registering cases and making arrests in recent days.

So far, 29 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed in connection with the sale and possession of banned crackers, leading to the arrest of 10 people, police said. In a major operation coordinated by Taratala and Park Street police stations alongside specialised units, officers registered 103 additional cases and carried out further arrests, officials added.

Police officials reiterated that only the use of green crackers is permitted, and only within the designated two-hour window: 8 PM to 10 PM. “Strict action will be taken against the sale and purchase of illegal firecrackers. Citizens are urged to only buy green crackers from markets,” an official warned.

To maintain law and order during the festivals, about 5,000 police personnel will be deployed across the city on the peak days. The security plan includes intensified patrolling, increased checkpoint checks and a significant PCR (police control room) van presence.

Special mobile patrol units, quick response teams (QRT) and the Heavy Radio Flying Squad (HRFS) will be on alert to respond to emergencies, and more than 450 pickets will be established across Kolkata.

Marketplaces and prominent temples, including Hatibagan and Lakshmi Mandir, will have an enhanced police presence, while vigilance squads will monitor Dhanteras crowds.

The police have also stepped up outreach to residential buildings, carrying out awareness drives to educate residents about legal norms and permitted timings for using green crackers.

Officials said the combined approach of community engagement, technology-led surveillance and targeted raids aims to ensure public safety, reduce noise and air pollution, and prevent fires and accidents during the festival period.