PCB to check for green crackers across city over weekend

BENGALURU: With Deepavali just days away, preparations are under way for the sale of firecrackers in Bengaluru. The government has allowed the sale of only green firecrackers, and the authorities are keeping a close eye on the sale of banned crackers.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is monitoring 72 firecracker shops across the city. On Saturday and Sunday, a special inspection drive is planned, with 14 teams from the KSPCB and police department visiting these shops.

If banned crackers are found, shop owners will face fines and potential criminal cases. To detect green crackers, authorities will use portable noise meters, which should not exceed 125 decibels. Crackers exceeding this noise limit will be considered banned.

The department is also advising shop owners to obtain insurance for their firecracker shops under the Public Liability Act of 1991.

M G Yatish, Pollution Control Board officer, said, “The department will take action and impose fines on those who sell banned firecrackers. There is provision to file criminal cases against shop owners or send them to jail in case of violation of rules. The sellers should abide by the Supreme Court order. Regional office staff will monitor the shops”.