Archive · 29 Oct 2025
Kolkata Noise and Air Pollution Violations During Chhath Puja
Imagine there were special rules for how loud and how long people could use fireworks for a holiday called Chhath Puja.
The rules said only certain 'green' fireworks could be used, and only for a short time on Tuesday morning.
But many people didn't follow these rules.
They used loud fireworks and played music all night on Monday, making it hard for others to sleep.
Some fireworks were not the allowed 'green' type.
Even though air quality sensors showed 'okay' levels in some places, people in noisy areas felt the pollution.
Green activists think the grown-ups in charge didn't do enough to stop people from breaking the rules, and that the allowed noise level was made too high.
Police did arrest some people and took away fireworks, but many felt it wasn't enough to stop the big noise and pollution.
Residents of Kolkata experienced widespread violations of noise and firecracker rules during Chhath Puja celebrations on Monday night and Tuesday morning.
A Calcutta High Court order permitted only green crackers for two hours on Tuesday morning (6 am to 8 am), but these rules were largely ignored.
Residents complained of continuous loud firecracker sounds and music throughout the night, disrupting sleep.
Green activists criticized lax enforcement by authorities, including a delayed mandatory sound test and an increased permissible decibel limit for green crackers.
Kolkata Police arrested 35 individuals and seized 152 kg of fireworks, while air quality readings on Tuesday morning were mostly moderate to satisfactory.
- Who
- Kolkata residents, police, green activists, and state authorities
- What
- Widespread violations of rules for firecracker bursting and noise levels during Chhath Puja celebrations, leading to significant noise and air pollution.
- When
- Monday night through Tuesday morning, with specific violations noted around Chhath Puja.
- Where
- Kolkata, with specific mentions of Kasba, Sovabazar, Jadavpur, Hatibagan, and Ultadanga.
- Why
- Alleged lax enforcement by authorities, raised permissible noise limits, and disregard for rules by some celebrants.
Activists and Residents
Authorities and State
Enforcement of Rules
Activists and Residents
Green activists blame lax enforcement by authorities, stating that authorities skipped mandatory sound limit tests and raised permissible decibel limits. They believe authorities need to act much earlier to enforce rules effectively, and if illegal firecrackers reach the public, it's impossible to stop them from being burst.
Authorities and State
Kolkata Police arrested 35 persons for disorderly conduct and seized 152kg of fireworks. The state government raised the permissible noise limit for green crackers from 90 to 125 decibels. A mandatory sound test was organized by police, though other agencies were absent.
Noise and Pollution Levels
Activists and Residents
Residents experienced continuous loud firecracker sounds and loudspeaker music throughout Monday night, disrupting sleep. Several residents felt this year's Diwali and Chhath Puja were among the noisiest in recent years, leading to aggravated respiratory issues due to pollution.
Authorities and State
Air quality readings at monitoring stations on Tuesday morning were 'moderate' or 'satisfactory', which can cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people or breathing discomfort to those with pre-existing lung, asthma, and heart conditions. The article notes that the impact of pollution might not be reflected in monitoring station readings but will be felt by local residents.
- Permitted Cracker Type
- Green crackers only
- Permitted Bursting Time
- Tuesday, 6 am to 8 am
- Raised Decibel Limit
- From 90 to 125 decibels (at 4 meters)
- Arrests Made
- 35 persons
- Fireworks Seized
- 152 kg
- Air Quality (Tuesday 7 am)
- Moderate at Jadavpur and Victoria Memorial; Satisfactory at other five stations