Kolkata: Crackers must be burst only between 8pm and 10pm on Oct 31 this year. Those not adhering to this time period will face legal action. This follows the Supreme Cout directions that allows bursting of crackers for two hours on the day of Diwali/Kali Puja each year, said senior Lalbazar officers.
The baji bazars will remain operational for seven days between Oct 26 and Nov 1.They will be set up at Tala Park, Shahid Minar, Behala Blind School, and Kalikapur's Aguan Sangha.
Kolkata Police took these crucial decisions after a meeting with various govt stakeholders on Tuesday at Burrabazar. "According to the chief scientist and head at CSIR-NEERI Nagpur, the registration certificate is the more authenticated document to decide if the manufacturer is registered with them. Hence, NEERI's certificate is enough to indicate a firework is certified. Checking the same will be the main priority," cops said.
According to police, the Tala Park baji bazar will have the highest number of 44 stalls. The Shahid Minar bazar will have 39 units. Though construction has begun to set up stalls at four spots in the city, the prediction of a cyclone in the city may slow down preparations, said cops.
Cops have also decided that a separate pass section go-ahead will be required for baji bazars to set up food stalls. A host of measures regarding the bursting of crackers at complexes were also announced. These included issuing instructions banning the release of sky lanterns from highrises in New Town, Lake Town, and Salt Lake, warning RWAs about the possible arrest of residents if found burning illegal crackers or any form of fireworks before or after the stipulated two-hour window on Kali Puja-Diwali evening.
Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar Police have also formed dedicated teams to approach housing complexes across the city from this week, asking them to stick to the Supreme Court specified cracker norms.
A senior cop said they would also urge representatives of housing complexes to stop any person within their complex from burning illegal crackers and, if they still don't listen, report the matter to the police.