West Bengal government warns of strict action against violations of firecracker norms on Diwali, Chhath

Home Secretary, Sanghamitra Ghosh said that they have launched an awareness campaign to make people understand that celebrations and festivals can also happen without polluting crackers. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Kolkata 

The West Bengal government on Thursday (October 29, 2026) announced that it will take strict action against people violating the firecracker norms during Diwali and Chhath Puja. The police have also arrested one man for wrongfully hoarding banned crackers and recovered around 110 kg crackers. 

“The accused was arrested from the spot at about 01:45 hrs on 29.10.2026, and the firecrackers were seized in the presence of witnesses following due legal formalities,” a statement from Kolkata Police said on Thursday (October 29, 2026). A suo motu case was registered by a police officer at the Burrabazar Police Station, after which 19-year-old Md. Toufiq was arrested. 

The Director General of Police, West Bengal, Siddhi Nath Gupta, also said that people will not be allowed to use sky lanterns without acquiring proper permission from the fire department. “They can be sold, bought, and used, but if you want to use them, acquire permission and follow the due process,” Mr. Gupta said. 

They also added that only green crackers will be allowed and that they have multiple methods in place to ensure sellers do not have fake green cracker labels on their products. The Home Secretary, Sanghamitra Ghosh urged that the use of green crackers should also be limited. 

Curbing pollution 

Meanwhile, Ms. Ghosh urged people to comply with pollution-control regulations for a better environment and said that they have launched an awareness campaign to make people understand that celebrations and festivals can also happen without polluting crackers. 

“It is not just about enforcement; it is also a lot about self-awareness. Every single person gets affected by this pollution,” Ms. Ghosh also said. 

Ms. Ghosh said the decibel limit was 125 and 90 for sound-emitting and light-emitting crackers, respectively. On Diwali, the time limit for bursting crackers is between 8 and 10 p.m. and on Chhath Puja, from 6 to 8 a.m. 

They also added that surveillance and patrolling will be higher during the festival days.  

“We will inspect all storage and manufacturing points, and keep a watch on the cracker markets to ensure no violations are made,” Ms. Ghosh added. 

Published - October 30, 2026 02:20 am IST