The Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) on Wednesday banned crackers in six major cities, including the capital Raipur, for two months during winter as a part of its initiative to control air pollution.
"Bursting of crackers will be banned for a period of two months from December 1 to January 31 every year in the six cities namely Raipur, Bilaspur, Bhilai, Durg, Raigarh and Korba," an official statement said.
The state government took the decision in this connection under section 19(5) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Notably, the entire state was declared as an air pollution control region under provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the statement said.
In view of the air pollution during winter, the CECB chairman and housing and environment department's Principal Secretary Aman Kumar Singh on Tuesday addressed district collectors and superintendents of police (SPs) of Raipur, Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa, Durg, Raigarh and Korba through videoconferencing and issued directives to control air pollution.
Stating that the government had a zero tolerance policy toward pollution, Singh had directed the officials to initiate measures for curbing air pollution in their respective areas, the statement said.
The CECB had been taking extensive action for controlling pollution in the entire state from the last two years, which was yielding better results, Singh said.
Online continuous stack emission monitoring systems have been installed in all rolling mills in Raipur.
"Besides, ambient air quality monitoring station is being operated at separate places by separating Raipur into grids, which is helping in controlling pollution in industrial units operational in Raipur and its adjoining areas through proper monitoring," the release said.
As a result of all these efforts, air pollution level has declined in Raipur and it is now in the 'good' category, according to the official release.
