Only green crackers can be used for Diwali celebrations, state govt issues order

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has restricted bursting of firecrackers during Diwali, Christmas and New Year celebrations. The government has issued an order specifying that only green firecrackers with less air pollution should be used for celebrations.

There is also a specific time frame for the bursting of firecrackers. As part of Diwali celebrations, crackers should be burst only from 8 pm to 10 pm. But for Christmas and New Year celebrations, fireworks can be burst from 11.55 pm to 1230 pm. The government order says that the State Pollution Control Board should take measures to reduce the air pollution caused by bursting firecrackers as part of the celebrations, and the district collectors and the district police chief should ensure that the regulations mentioned in the order are followed.

Green crackers are crackers that are made with chemicals that do not cause air pollution. There are few centres that manufacture these types of crackers. Firecrackers sold in Kerala are mainly manufactured in Tamil Nadu.