District Magistrate Issues Orders Prohibiting Fireworks on Specified Occasions
Firecrackers to Be Burst Only Within the Prescribed Time Slots on Diwali, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purab, Christmas, and New Year Celebrations
MOHALI OCTOBER 6:
District Magistrate Komal Mittal, IAS, has issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the B.N.N.S. restricting the use, sale, and storage of fireworks in district Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali) during upcoming festivals including Diwali, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purab, Christmas, and New Year celebrations.
These orders have been issued in public interest, in compliance with the directions of the Department of Science, Technology & Environment (STE Branch), Government of Punjab, vide instructions dated September 18, 2025.
The District Magistrate stated that during festive seasons, traders often procure and store firecrackers in large quantities, and therefore, strict adherence to the prescribed safety and environmental guidelines is mandatory.
As per Prohibitions, the manufacture, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of series/chain fireworks (laris) is strictly prohibited throughout the state. Only green crackers, which do not contain barium salts, antimony, lithium, mercury, arsenic, lead, or strontium chromate, will be permitted for sale and use. Similarly, only licensed traders are authorized to sell approved green crackers.
The Permissible Time for Bursting Firecrackers will be as under;
Diwali (October 20): From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purab (November 5): From 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Christmas (December 25 & 26): From 11:55 PM to 12:30 AM
New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2025 – January 1, 2026): From 11:55 PM to 12:30 AM
District Magistrate said that Community Fire Cracker Displays shall be encouraged, and suitable designated areas will be identified and notified by competent authorities in advance for public awareness.
E-commerce websites including Flipkart, Amazon, etc., are prohibited from accepting or fulfilling online orders for sale of firecrackers within the jurisdiction of SAS Nagar district.
The Police Department and Pollution Control Department shall ensure strict compliance with these directives.
The sale and use of approved green crackers shall only be permitted at designated places and during the notified timings.
The order states that the Punjab Pollution Control Board will conduct short-term ambient air quality monitoring in selected towns of the district as per the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board.
Authorities will ensure fair and transparent enforcement under the Explosives Rules, 2008 issued by Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Punjab.
Additional caution will be exercised in non-attainment cities considering their ambient air quality levels. All actions will be in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Describing the Penal Provisions, the prohibitory orders reads further that
Any violation of these directions shall invite immediate penal action under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, besides action under relevant provisions of B.N.N.S. and other applicable laws.
These orders shall remain in force from October 1, 2025, to January 2, 2026.
