Delhi braces for a cracker Diwali

As Diwali festivities entered full gear on Sunday, the sound of firecrackers rended the air in some places across the national capital, with mixed adherence to the restrictions placed by the Supreme Court on the hours when crackers could be burst.

- Karn Pratap Singh and Aaditya Khatwani

Violations of the orders on the sale and purchase of firecrackers also continued to be reported in parts of the city. This, even as the Delhi Police patrolling the public places and neighbourhoods.

Last week, the Supreme Court permitted the sale of green crackers in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi from October 18 to 20, and said bursting them was allowed between 6-7am and 8-10pm on Diwali eve (October 19) and on Diwali (October 20). On Sunday, firecrackers were heard in many areas, including New Friends Colony, beyond the permissible timings, but at other places Residents' Welfare Associations (RWA) members said the rules on bursting firecrackers were followed to a large extent.

The president of the Vasant Kunj RWA federation, Rajesh Panwar, said, "So far I have not heard that many crackers are being burst, it has been less than the past few years. I've visited around 20 Diwali functions in Vasant Kunj, and saw crackers being burst only in two."