TNPCB asks police to ban noisy crackers at night

Chennai, Oct 12 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has requested the Police Department to ban crackers, which emitted about '125 dBA' noise, between 2200 hrs and 0600 hrs during Diwali.

Calling upon the people to celebrate the festival of light in an environment-friendly way, the board said district collectors had been requested to create awareness among the public, highlighting effect of bursting fire crackers through schools, colleges and local bodies.

The board proposed to carry out monitoring of noise levels at 17 places and air quality monitoring at six places for 24 hours during pre-deepavali and post-deepavali days, a TNPCB release here said.

The board would organise a five-day awareness campaign to reduce noise and air pollution due to bursting of crackers. It intended to spread the message of pollution-free and accident-free deepavali and the awareness campaign would be inaugurated by State Miniser for Environment T P M Mohideen Khan on October 16, the release said.

'Deepavali is a family festival and can be enjoyed by everyone.

Hence TNPCB is making an appeal to the people to celebrate a noiseless, smokeless and safe Deepavali with families, relatives, friends and neighbours. Let us celebrate this Deepavali as a festival of light in an environment-friendly manner,' it said.

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