Diwali 2025: Odisha government proposes suggestive measures to light firecrackers

Bhubaneswar: The whole country will celebrate Diwali on October 20, 2025. While guidelines are issued every time regarding firecrackers, this year the Odisha State Pollution Control Board has issued guidelines regarding the time of burning crackers. The State Pollution Control Board has issued instructions to limit the time of lighting firecrackers from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Similarly, the firecrackers that will create a lot of noise have been banned. The sound of the crackers that people shoot shall not exceed 125 decibels. Burning crackers near peace areas such as gardens, parks, hospitals, educational institutions, courts, temples has been banned.

It has been ordered to ban lighting crackers in slums, shops, fire-prone areas, roads and high-traffic areas. The State Pollution Control Board has not allowed children below the age of 10 to use noise-making firecrackers. It has been advised to wear cotton clothes while burning crackers, keeping safety in mind.

Here are a few guidelines for Diwali 2025 issued by the Government of Odisha:

• Celebrate Diwali by lighting lamps only and limit the firecrackers bursting time from 7 pm to 9 pm.
• Avoid crackers that create excessive noise. The sound of the crackers cannot be more than 125 decibel.
• Lighting firecrackers is prohibited within 100 meters radius of public areas such as ​​​​gardens, parks, hospitals, educational institutions, courts and religious places, etc.
• Only “Green Crackers” (Environmentally Friendly Firecrackers) are allowed to be used.
• Avoid shooting crackers at shops, houses, fire-prone areas, roads and high traffic areas.
• Children below 10 years of age are not allowed to burst crackers that make noise.
• Always wear a cotton cap for safety while lighting crackers.
• The Supreme Court has banned the manufacture and sale of all firecrackers except “Green Crackers”
• Use of barium and other prohibited chemicals in crackers is completely prohibited.

Failure to comply with the above rules will result in punishment as per the Orissa Fire Crackers and Loud Speakers (Regulation) Act, 1958 and Non-pollution (Regulations and Control) Rules, 2000. If there is any complaint regarding this, the District Magistrate, ADM, SDM, SP, ASP, DSP 3 of the concerned district and sub-division can file it with the SDPO.

Safety measures to be followed while bursting firecrackers according to the guidelines for Diwali 2025:

• Keep water or sand nearby while shooting firecrackers
• Do not light the cracker while holding it in your hand, always light it by placing it on the ground
• Move to a safe distance while shooting crackers
• Do not try to light an firecracker that did not fire the first time
• Dispose the used firecrackers and their remains safely, so that accidental fires can be avoided
• Protect animals and birds from the smoke and noise of crackers, as they are very sensitive to it
• Older people and those with respiratory problems are advised to stay away from the smoke of firecrackers
• Transparent glasses should be worn for eye protection while shooting arrows

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