Bhubaneswar, Nov 10: Even though Odisha government has banned the sale of non-green crackers, but the sale of these more pollution causing crackers is going on with full impunity in Bhubaneswar.
The firecracker traders are selling locally and illegally manufactured crackers hiding nearby abandoned places nearby their licensed counters.
Like other states, Odisha has banned the sale and use of traditional crackers that produce more pollution and has allowed only environment-friendly or green crackers.
Locally-made firecrackers are ruling the market, as people are liking non-green crackers that make loud sound.
Shopkeepers are billing for non-green crackers at counter and people are taking them from a nearby location of the cracker market.
Notably, restrictions have been imposed on locally-made firecrackers following the Supreme Court direction. Now only PESO (Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization) approved green crackers are allowed for sale in Odisha.
The green crackers are being imported from Sibakashi and Raipur to different wholesale markets in the state. Crackers which make sound less than 125 decibel are allowed for sale.
Dangerous chemicals like Barium nitrate, lithium antimony and arsenic are used in making handmade crackers. These crackers release poisonous gas to the environment. Hence, these crackers have been banned in Odisha since November 2021, said State Pollution Board senior scientist Niranjan Mallick.
China crackers and snake crackers release more smoke and pollute the air quality. These crackers have been banned this time, he added.
