RWAS appeal to residents to stay away from fireworks
NEWDELHI: Some resident welfare associations and housing societies in the city have banned lighting of crackers in their neighbourhoods following the Supreme Court’s last week order. Delhi Police has also issued advisory asking citizens to burst crackers only at designated spots such as open fields and parks.
The civic agencies in the national capital have identified over 4,800 spots to burst firecrackers this Diwali on the direction of the Supreme Court.these spots will include patches of barren land, parks, community halls and open spaces located at least 500 metres away from hospitals and dispensaries.
“As soon as we received information from Chittaranjan Park police station, we issued a circular asking residents not to burst firecrackers in the gated community. The circular also said that only designated places can be used for the purpose. To keep a vigil, we have decided to take rounds during the festivity to ensure people won’t violate norms,” said KK Sirohi, president of Mandakini Enclave Welfare Association.
On October 29, Kaveri Cooperative Group Housing Society of Sector 6 Dwarka had also issued a circular saying that any violation of norms may lead to the police complaint.
“The office of Dwarka District Police conducted an interaction programme on implementation of the apex court order. We have asked resident to co-operate in the drive to curb pollution,” said KPS Nair, general secretary, Kaveri Cooperative Group Housing Society, Dwarka Sector 6, in a circular issued on Monday.
The police said they will continue the awareness programme in future, telling people to ensure that crackers are lit only at designated spots and not in society premises, houses and on the streets.
A senior police officer, however, clarified that this is just a suggestion and not legally binding on people. Instead, the police are relying on creating awareness. In Dwarka district, for example, the police are visiting schools and administering oaths to students to refrain from bursting harmful crackers.
“We have even asked the schools to educate the children about the effects of crackers on environment and administer them oaths during prayers,” said Anto Alphonse, deputy commissioner of police (Dwarka). The police have also been announcing the new rules through loudspeakers on the city’s streets.