Bengaluru: With Deepavali just around the corner, Karnataka govt has tightened rules on sale of crackers, directing vendors to stick strictly to eco-friendly fireworks. Forest, environment and ecology minister Eshwar Khandre Monday said cracker traders must give an undertaking to Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) that they will not stock or sell fireworks containing harmful heavy metals. “If any shop is found violating guidelines, their trade licence will be cancelled,” he warned.Going by the govt’s direction, cracker sales in Karnataka are expected to be limited to green ones that are designed to cause less air and noise pollution compared to traditional varieties containing heavy metal oxides. Officials said inspections will be carried out across the state to ensure compliance. Khandre noted that better mobility will help teams monitor cracker sales, check for banned single-use plastic, and ensure safer waste disposal and water quality testing. He reminded that diesel vehicles over 15 years old will soon have to be phased out under the Centre’s scrap policy — a move he said is essential to improve air quality in cities like Bengaluru. MSID:: 124340120 413 |
