Centre against total ban on firecrackers in Delhi

The Central government is not in favour of complete ban on the use of firecrackers in Delhi during festival season saying there are several other factors responsible for pollution in the national capital.

Filing an affidavit before the Supreme Court in response to a joint plea filed by three city-based infants for ban on the use of crackers during this Dussehra and Diwali, the ministry of environment and forest said the Central government has issued the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 which regulate noise levels in different zones.

It also said that the rules permit different noise levels during day and night time in different zones.

The air pollution is dependent on several factors such as industries, aviation, railways, shipping, construction activities, geo-climatic conditions, emission from vehicles and other factors.

"The causes and mitigation of air pollution is multi-sectoral in nature and air pollution may be prevented , abated and controlled by a multi-disciplinary approach through various ministries and municipal authorities...," the ministry said.

As per the affidavit, the noise rules regulate noise levels during the day time in industrial (75 decibels), commercial (65 decibels) and residential zones (55 decibels) and also establish zones of silence (100 metres near schools, courts, hospitals etc).

"The prescribed day time levels are typically ten decibels higher than the corresponding levels for night time except in industrial areas, where the difference is five decibels. The 24 hours in a day have been divided into two components i.e during 6am-10pm day time and 10pm to 6am in night time."

It cited that the noise standards for fire crackers have been notified in Schedule I under the Environment Protection Rules so as to prohibit manufacture, sale or use of fire crackers generating noise level exceeding 125 Db (AI) or 145 Db (C) pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting.

The state government should appoint the authority or officer (either a Magistrate of Police Commissioner or any other officer) for maintaining the ambient and air quality standards. The culprit will be prosecuted for violation of any rule, the Centre said shifting the responsibility on state government.

The Apex Court is to hear on Wednesday the petition, filed by Arjun Goyal, Aarav Bhandari and Zoya Rao Bhasin (six-14 months), which seeks the government agencies be restrained from issuing license for sale of crackers in the national capital.