Tamil Nadu limits Diwali fireworks to two one‑hour slots to curb pollution

Tamil Nadu government has limited the bursting of firecrackers on Deepavali 2026 to two one‑hour periods, 6 am‑7 am and 7 pm‑8 pm, to curb severe air and noise pollution. The restriction was announced in an official release on Tuesday that also urged residents to celebrate with environment‑friendly practices. The statement said Deepavali should be enjoyed in harmony with nature and called for collective responsibility to protect the environment. The move builds on ongoing efforts to reduce land, water and air pollution as well as noise‑induced hearing damage linked to fireworks. It follows the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment that confines the sale and manufacture of crackers to reduced‑emission “green crackers”. To achieve compliance, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board has launched awareness drives through schools, colleges, Eco clubs, the National Green Corps, local corporate bodies and district administrations. Neighbourhood welfare associations are being asked to hold community fire‑cracking events in open spaces to lower localized emissions. The advisory bans joint or series crackers because they cause sharp noise spikes. It also prohibits bursting near silence zones such as hospitals, schools, courts, religious sites, and near fire‑prone thatched huts. ## Context The two‑hour windows aim to balance traditional celebrations with public health goals, reflecting a broader shift toward greener festival practices across Indian states.