Just days ahead of the big festival of Diwali, the Haryana government on Sunday banned the sale and use of firecrackers in 14 districts bordering Delhi.
Online shopping sites too cannot make any sales of such nature, the state government notification said in view of worsening air pollution.
The 14 districts where sale and bursting of firecrackers are banned include Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Palwal, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak and Sonipat.
In view of worsening air pollution, the state government further extended the ban on crackers to towns and cities where the air quality is poor.
On Diwali, the firecrackers can be burst only between 8 pm to 10 pm, the Haryana government said.
In rest of the districts, only green crackers have been allowed to be sold and used.
Last month, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had announced a “complete ban” on sale and bursting of all forms of firecrackers in the city till January 1, 2022. The development came amid deteriorating air quality in the national capital.
Meanwhile, over 50 licensed traders approached the Delhi High Court on Saturday, seeking leave to sell green firecrackers ahead of Diwali after the Supreme Court said it has not imposed a blanket ban on the sale of fireworks.