Residents could have exercised more restraint
OPEN HOUSE: HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS THE BAN ON FIRECRACKERS IN UT?
Wise decision of UT Administration
The AIR Quality Index value of city dropped from 341 last year to 140 this year, which itself speaks about success of ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers. At least, we are able to inhale properly on Diwali courtesy Covid-19 impact. This is one of the few wise decisions taken by the Chandigarh Administration.
Bharat Anand, Chandigarh
Analyse failure of ban enforcement
On Diwali might, ground reality was altogether different. Although, there was less bursting of firecrackers as compared to previous years in Chandigarh, yet in Mohali and Panchkula the practice continued for two days. Firecrackers sound made life difficult for citizens particularly elders and toddlers, who couldn’t sleep properly and also made birds and animals restless. The administrations of the respective cities must take a strict view of the situation and analyse reasons for failure in the enforcement of the ban orders in letter and spirit by agencies concerned particularly the police. Corrective actions need to be taken to ensure proper implementation of the ban orders during next year Diwali.
Sanjay Chopra, Mohali
Monitor villages on the periphery
The ban on sale and bursting of firecrackers was not successful in the UT. The Administration is least concerned about safety of the public. The ban should have been implemented strictly. Villages in the UT and on the periphery should also be monitored to stop the nuisance of bursting firecrackers.
Opinder Kaur Sekhon, Chandigarh
traders forgot health comes first
The blatant disregard for the law, as well as public health, was visible on Diwali in the UT. The Administration took a right step by ordering a complete ban on sale and bursting of firecrackers, but the order went up in smoke. The contention of traders that they were bearing losses in business had no locus standi. Lives of the people could not be put to risk just for money.
Rajiv Boolchand Jain, Zirakpur
Failure of police, administration
The firecracker ban in Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali wasn’t fully effective. People did abstain out of their own wish, but many didn’t adhere to the ban and burst firecrackers, which were not even green. The Administration and the police failed in fully implementing the ban orders in the City Beautiful.
Abhinav Kapil, Chandigarh
Announcement should have come in advance
In almost all sectors, the ban on firecrackers was by and large successful. Only green crackers should be permitted. Air pollution is a man made curse and can be controlled if laws are implemented without playing vote bank politics. Health of public is more important than the earnings of few. However, the ban should be announced well in advance so that no businessman bears losses.
KC Rana, Chandigarh
less firecrackers bursting this year
The ban on sale and bursting of firecrackers was fairly successful in the UT. The AQI of Chandigarh was much better than its adjoining regions. There was a drastic reduction in bursting of firecrackers, evident from infrequent noises. However, checking of vehicles at entry and exit points of the UT especially those connected to adjoining suburbs where sale of firecrackers was permitted could have been better. At night, sounds were heard in the city, which means some residents were able to procure firecrackers from the adjoining areas.
Joy Singh, Chandigarh
Send violators to lock up for 24 hrs
Residents have proved that they are educated illiterate. They don’t fear the police or the Administration. The police should be vested with powers to challan those violating the ban on bursting firecrackers. The challan amount should be at least Rs2,000. Any person, who is not able to pay the challan amount, should be sent to lockup for 24 hours. Traders selling firecrackers should also be dealt with similarly.
NPS Sohal, Chandigarh
Admn should have been stricter
The ban on sale and bursting of firecrackers on Diwali in Chandigarh went up into the air. People bursted firecrackers with impunity and without realising their moral duty of saving the environment. They were selfish to think of just own profits and pleasures at the stake of harming the environment. The Chandigarh Administration should have been stricter in implementing the ban.
Bir Devinder Singh Bedi, Chandigarh
restriction should be for whole country
The ban on sale and bursting of firecrackers was total failure in Chandigarh. This is evident from the AQI level of the city. The ban should be implemented in the entire nation to save the environment. The authorities of adjoining cities must think about coronavirus, asthmatic patients, small children, elders and road accidents due to pollution before permitting sale and bursting of firecrackers in future.
Wg Cdr Jasbir Singh Minhas (retd), Mohali
An eleventh hour decision
Ban on the sale and bursting of crackers in Chandigarh was the eleventh hour decision. Shopkeepers and the public already had stock of firecrackers. Therefore, people burst firecrackers despite ban. It was a flop show on the part of the Administration. Had the decision been taken much in advance and created awareness about this, the ban would have been a success. Moreover, relaxation to burst firecrackers in Mohali and Panchkula for two hours put a dampener on the ban.
Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali
mixed response from residents
Total ban on the sale and bursting of crackers is impractical solution to control pollution in the UT. There was less pollution this year. The ban was partially successful as people still burst firecrackers in the city. Only 11 challans were issued for the violation of the ban, which is not enough. Mohali and Panchkula gave relaxation in bursting of firecrackers, which increased pollution in the tricity.
Avinash Goyal, Chandigarh
It did make a difference
Ban on the sale and purchase of firecrackers on Diwali could not give the desired result. Still it made some visible difference this time. Smoke and noise created by bursting firecrackers was almost absent and the air quality remarkably good on Diwali night. Those who abstained from bursting firecrackers in Chandigarh did so by listening to their inner voice and not because of the ban imposed by the UT Administration. Some enthusiasts, who bought firecrackers from Mohali and Panchkula, did have fun. The police could have enforced the ban properly. It would be better if Mohali and Panchkula have similar ban in the future.
SC Luthra, Chandigarh
ban Not a martial law or diktat
Ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers on Diwali was not a martial law or diktat that evoked compliance in toto. The intent was by and large acknowledged well. Even children were seen denigrating the practice. The drastic drop in cases of burns and eye injuries on Diwali proves the utility of the ban. Nonetheless, it was flouted by sourcing crackers from neighbouring areas. A uniform regulation in the tricity could have resulted in better compliance. More than dreading penalties most people abstained from fireworks of their own volition. Bursting of firecrackers is sheer display of affluence and an evil practice that ought to be steadily done away with completely. Wider awareness/education on the evils of playing with firecrackers can stem the rot.
Lalit Bharadwaj, Panchkula
Pollution level decreased in UT
The ban imposed by the Chandigarh Administration led to decrease in the pollution level. If there is more pollution cases of Covid-19 will rise. Only green crackers should be sold in cities where air quality is moderate or below. Timings for bursting of firecrackers should be restricted to two hours during festivals like Diwali.
Akshar Kumar Singla, Chandigarh
Law catches flies, but lets hornets go
The sale and bursting of firecrackers was banned on Diwali. Less firecrackers were sold and bursted than before. Everyone knows that the law catches flies, but lets hornets go. But, the Administration failed to implement the ban orders completely. Arrangements should be made in advance to check the sale and bursting of firecrackers. More pollution will spread Covid-19 in the UT.
Sumesh Kumar Badhwar, Mohali
Just an eyewash
Ban was not fully effective in the UT due to clandestine sale of firecrackers. People were bursting firecrackers on the city’s outskirts till morning. No police action was taken against such violators. Moreover, banning firecrackers is not a solution. It’s just an eyewash. Ban causes loss to traders and their workers. The Administration should take long term measures to improve the air quality in the UT.
Anita Tandon, Kharar
Drop in air quality index indicates success
Reports in newspapers a day after Diwali were contradictory. Headlines read the Administration failed to enforce complete firecracker ban in the City Beautiful where as the AQI dropped to 140 this Diwali as compared to 341 last year. Is it not the result of the ban? The AQI does indicate that the ban on bursting firecrackers in Chandigarh was effective. People eagerly wait for Diwali. As such it is difficult for them to check their temptation to burst firecrackers. The police also have to exercise restrain lest their action can hurt religious feelings of some residents.
Dr Gurdev Singh, Mohali
Not observed completely
It was wise on part of the Chandigarh Administration to ban bursting of firecrackers on Diwali keeping in view the existing conditions of Covid-19 and pollution. But, residents did not fully agree with it as some bursted firecrackers while ignoring health of others and their own. The Administration should enforce such bans to improve the AQI. Residents must follow restrictions to reduce risk of the Covid-19 and prevent air pollution.
Balbir Singh Batra, Mohali
Implemented but with lapses
Ban on firecrackers on Diwali was a welcome step. It improved the air quality and noise levels dropped in the UT. However, there was a lapse in the implementation of directions. It should have been in the same spirit as being done on other occasions when people are challaned even for minor violations.
Col Balbir Singh Mathauda (retd), Chandigarh
It had some effect
Less firecrackers were bursted this Diwali. All this was due to ban imposed by the Administration. Another reason could be awareness of UT residents towards society. The ban helped to keep the pollution level lower in the City Beautiful.
Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Chandigarh
Violators went scot-free
The Administration and the police apparently failed to implement ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers in the UT. Violators went scot free. Obviously, the offenders bought firecrackers from Mohali and Panchkula. This raises many questions on the capability of the police and the Administration. Hopefully, the authorities will learn from their mistake and implement the firecracker ban more effectively in the future.
Hardeep Singh Slaich, Mohali
Aim was not to punish public
This year Diwali came with Covid-19 scare. Though the firecracker ban was effective up to an extent, air did not improve much. Unless people act responsibly no authority or government can improve air quality. The ban was not to punish public, but to imbibe self responsibility towards environment and improving health.
Charu Malhotra, Mohali
admn’s quick, stern action improved AQI
The Chandigarh Administration was successful in imposing a blanket ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers in comparison with other states. However, few flouted the norms and were penalised. Perhaps, the AQI of Chandigarh is way better due to quick and stern action of the Administration and the cooperation of residents of the City Beautiful.
Shobhna Kalra, Chandigarh
was Ok for elderly, but disappointed kids
Ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers on Diwali in the City Beautiful has resulted in less air and noise pollution and limited injuries and expenses. This is acceptable to elders, but growing children are hard hit by the Administration’s decision. Children wait for Diwali for over an year. It is difficult to convince them not to burst crackers. Depriving them from their childhood joys without any of their fault is not fair.
Capt Jagdish Verma (retd), Chandigarh
Ban has come as a relief
There was a remarkable reduction in air pollution in the UT. Hospitals in Chandigarh witnessed 83 per cent drop in cases of burns especially eye injuries this Diwali with only 27 injured reported compared to 162 last year. Ban is important to prevent the second wave of Covid-19. Besides, elders suffering with various ailments also got relief from air and noise pollution. However, the Chandigarh Administration took a late decision to ban firecrackers. Dealers as well as vendors suffered monetary losses.
SK Khosla, Chandigarh
Orders went for a toss in City Beautiful
Ban on the sale, purchase and bursting of firecrackers was brazenly violated in Chandigarh. The decision, which was taken when Diwali was round the corner, went haywire due to lack of the strict implementation. Browbeating violators or awarding punishment to those found on the other side of the fence is not the right way to deal with the menace. The solution lies in educating people at large, especially the younger lot, about disastrous effects of firecrackers on our health, especially children and elderly, besides vitiating the environment. The dispensation should impose a blanket ban on manufacturing of firecrackers and their sale and purchase. The Administration must ensure that ban orders are passed on to those investing in the firecracker business. Eco-friendly crackers may be an alternative. Compulsive violators won’t desist from making a cocktail of both of type of firecrackers thus making a mockery of the ban order.
Ramesh K Dhiman, Chandigarh
QUESTION
Do you think the careless attitude of residents during the festive season led to spike in Covid-19 cases in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula?
Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com
