Cracker ban impact: Fire accidents decline by 16% in Delhi

Fire director also informed that there was 48% reduction in calls from 12 am to 7 am

The fire accidents this Diwali registered a 16 percent decline in New Delhi this year, after the Supreme Court restored ban on the sale of firecrackers from October 9 to November 1, with a view to reduce pollution.

"Delhi Fire Services received 204 emergency calls this year as compared to 242 calls last year," Fire Director of Delhi Fire Services GC Mishra informed.

However, Mishra expressed disappointment over citizens' attitude over the Supreme Court's ban on the sale of firecrackers, as it was expected that the calls would reduce by 50 per cent.

The Fire Director also informed that there was 48 percent reduction in calls from 12 am to 7 am, while 40 calls per hour on average were dealt with, between 8 pm and 11 pm.

"The inference we can draw from it is that people used to burst crackers in the long hours earlier, but after the ban, people had lesser stock which soon got exhausted by midnight," Mishra said.

There were no major calls and the preparation was adequate in accordance with the calls, because of reduction in number of accidents as well as the addition of 20 fire service vehicles, he informed.

Mishra further urged all to show concern towards pollution before deciding to burst crackers.

Since the ban implemented ten days before the festival was merely on the sale of crackers, people in Delhi did not refrain from bursting crackers despite alarming pollution levels.