Despite repeated appeals from the administration and environmental authorities, the ban on bursting firecrackers beyond permitted hours went up in smoke this Diwali, as residents across the district continued celebrations well past midnight.

The district administration had clearly restricted firecracker bursting to between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali evening, but the sound of explosions and dazzling lights filled the skies for several hours beyond the prescribed limit.

On October 17, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney issued detailed directions regarding the sale and bursting of firecrackers during festive occasions, in compliance with Supreme Court orders. The instructions specified the permitted timings for bursting crackers on Diwali, Gurpurb, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Bhagwan Valmi

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