Ahead of Diwali, the Rajasthan government has issued new guidelines for those wishing to light fireworks, with specific timings and restrictions set for Diwali, New Year and Christmas celebrations.

This year, firecrackers are allowed only during the specified period on Diwali night. Residents of Rajasthan districts falling under the National Capital Region (NCR) will be given a two-hour window to light fireworks on Diwali, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The two districts of Rajasthan that are part of the National Capital Region (NCR) are Alwar and Bharatpur.

The Rajasthan government, through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, has issued these orders applicable in Alwar and Bharatpur districts, where only green fireworks are permitted.

These guidelines also specify areas where fireworks are prohibited. In accordance with the order, firecrackers are prohibited within a radius of a hundred meters from the silence zone: hospitals, retirement homes, public and private medical centers, schools, colleges, courts and religious places.

These restrictions will apply not only during the Diwali festival but also during Christmas and New Year. The use of crackers on both these occasions will be permitted only from 11:55 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Similarly, only green firecrackers will be permitted at weddings, and the sale of prohibited fireworks is prohibited.

All police stations in Rajasthan have been instructed to ensure compliance with these orders.

Additionally, school and college officials should educate students about the environmental and safety hazards associated with fireworks, making them aware of the responsible use of firecrackers.

Meanwhile, to curb rising pollution levels and deteriorating air quality, northern Indian states including Delhi, Gurugram in the NCR and Punjab, home to the Golden Temple, have put in place restrictions on firecrackers during Diwali festivities. In Gurugram, Haryana, only green crackers are allowed on Diwali evening, while Punjab has allocated a two-hour window, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Delhi, meanwhile, has imposed a complete ban on the sale of crackers.