Thiruvananthapuram: The Pollution Control Board and police authorities have failed to enforce the Supreme Court order curbing the usage of firecrackers in the state. The people burst crackers violating the strict order from the police to stick to the two-hour restriction from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The authorities didn't take any steps to control the availability and sale of high decibel firecrackers. The district administration issued around 180 temporary licences for firecracker sale in the district this Diwali.
There are around 300 permanent licence holders in the district.
Federation of Residents Association (FRAT) general secretary J. Moses said that the SC's order was not enforced. The authorities were a total failure in bringing awareness among residents and public, he said.
"In the residential areas, the situation was more under control. But there were complaints of people bursting crackers on byroads posing danger to commuters. Police act only if they receive complaints. It's their responsibility to enforce the ruling. Creating awareness on the eve of such a festival will not work. There should be forward planning," said Mr Moses.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) R. Aadhithya said that the department didn't receive any complaint on this.
