Nagpur: Ahead of the festive season, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) has told Nagpur bench of Bombay high court that stringent action will be taken against firecrackers that violate prescribed noise limits, saying fireworks exceeding 125 decibels will not be allowed under Explosives Rules, 2008.The submission came during the hearing of PILs on pollution control and environmental compliance in Nagpur, including issues relating to noise pollution during public celebrations, before a division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Nivedita Mehta. PESO and Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change filed separate affidavits detailing measures to curb noise and air pollution caused by firecrackers. The bench has scheduled the matter for further hearing on Aug 3.PESO informed the court that strict steps have been put in place to prevent the manufacture, storage and sale of firecrackers exceeding the 125-decibel limit. It said licensed firecracker dealers in Nagpur and Amravati had been instructed to comply with statutory norms and to display safety guidelines prominently outside their shops.The organisation stated that firecrackers are subjected to regular inspections and that samples collected by the state govt are tested for noise levels at National Academy for Petroleum and Explosives Safety in Nagpur. Firecrackers found to exceed the prescribed noise limit are seized and destroyed.Union Environment Ministry, in its affidavit, reiterated that only “green crackers” are permitted in accordance with Supreme Court’s directions. It also urged the court to implead Union Ministry of Education to facilitate the inclusion of lessons on noise and air pollution in school curriculum.Separately, organisers of the programme held at Samvidhan Square defended the event through an affidavit, stating that all required permissions had been obtained and that no rules were violated. They argued that police personnel were present throughout the programme and that “had any violation occurred, criminal cases would have been registered at that time.”Key TakeawaysPESO assured HC of strict enforcement against firecrackers exceeding the 125-decibel limitFirecrackers violating prescribed noise limits will be seized and destroyedFuture violations will invite action under Explosives Rules, 2008Licensed dealers in Nagpur and Amravati have been directed to comply with safety and noise normsSafety advisory boards must be displayed outside licensed firecracker shopsNoise-level testing is conducted at National Academy for Petroleum and Explosives Safety, NagpurUnion Env Ministry reiterated that only green crackers are permitted under SC directionsIt sought inclusion of noise and air pollution awareness in school curriculum through Education Ministry
