Bengaluru Police Issue Strict Rules for Safe Deepavali Celebrations

Bengaluru authorities have released a 19-point advisory for Deepavali, warning of legal action against people who break safety rules and timing limits.

Guidelines

People must buy and use only certified green crackers, and they can only burst them from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. as ordered by the Supreme Court. Citizens are not allowed to burst crackers near hospitals, petrol pumps, gas stations, temples and other religious spots, old-age homes, and childcare centres. Authorities also told people to avoid crowded areas, main roads, and parked vehicles, and to use open grounds instead. People must take care not to harm animals, and they need to clean up waste by putting cracker remains in a bucket with water or sand. Anyone facing an emergency can call 112 or 108 for help.

Legal Action

Police said breaking the time limit or other rules will lead to legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosives Act, and pollution laws. The public can also report illegal sales or rule-breaking to the local police.

Transport

To help people travel during the festival, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will run 2,600 extra buses from Bengaluru between November 6 and 8. Return trips back to Bengaluru will run on November 10 and 11 to cover places in coastal Karnataka, Malnad, North Karnataka, and nearby states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Context

Police issue these yearly advisories to manage heavy festival crowds, reduce air and noise pollution, and prevent fire accidents during Deepavali. Public transport systems also add extra services because lakhs of people travel back to their hometowns during long festival weekends.