Diwali restrictions: TS govt yet to announce timings

With only three days remaining for Diwali, the state government is yet to announce the timings for bursting crackers as directed by the Supreme Court.The Hyderabad police has issued a notification that crackers must not be burst on the roads, and they can be burst only between 8 pm and 10 pm on the orders of the apex court.

Cyberabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar issued a notification informing that bursting of crackers is permitted from 8 pm to 10 pm on November 6 and November 7. The notification will be in place from November 6 to 6 am on November 9.

On Thursday, Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar issued the following notification: 'In accordance with the recent directions issued by the Supreme Court of India, there shall be a complete ban on bursting sound emitting firecrackers on the public roads and public places in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad except between 8 pm and 10 pm only.' 

There is also a restriction on the noise levels from crackers, drums and other instruments. The standard decibel level between 6 am and 10 pm is restricted to 55 dB (decibels). In September, the city recorded an average of 63.5 dB. Bursting of crackers reaches more than 90 dB. There is no information if any new limits are to be set for decibel levels during Diwali.

Senior police officials in the state said they would follow the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court on the timing for bursting crackers and necessary action will be initiated against violators. 

A senior police officer  said, “violators will be booked under IPC Section 188. It is not an easy thing, though. If a complaint is received regarding the violation, a case will be booked.”Section 188 says disobedience of the order causing obstruction, annoyance or injury, or risk of obstruction, will be punished with jail of up to two years, and a fine of up to Rs 200.