Chennai sources stated that the Tamilnadu government on Friday said people would be allowed to burst firecrackers between 6 am and 7 am and 7 pm to 8 pm on Diwali, in line with the Supreme Court directive. As per report a government release also urged people of the state to burst crackers with low decibel and pollution levels. The release said "Based on the Supreme Court verdict, the Tamilnadu government permits bursting of crackers between 6 am and 7 am and 7 pm and 8 pm”.
Furthermore, it asked the people to avoid bursting firecrackers near hospitals and places of worship. Accordingly the Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board would study the air quality seven days before and after the festival in all the corporation limits. Previously on October 30, the state government had said it would consult stakeholders regarding the Supreme Court's decision of allowing the state to pick a two hour slot for bursting firecrackers on Diwali.
Reports added the apex court had modified its earlier order of fixing an 8-10 pm slot for bursting crackers on Diwali, saying the time would be changed in southern states like Tamilnadu and Puducherry, but not exceed the two hour duration and the Diwali falls on November 6 in the state.
