The district administration on Friday launched a campaign “Say No To Crackers”, urging residents to celebrate a cracker-free Diwali this year. The drive aims at curbing the pollution levels in the city. 

Hoardings, flex, banners and posters with different slogans to this effect will soon come up at places and pamphlets distributed. 

Patna district magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said: “We will create awareness on the ill-effects of noise and smoke on the environment and the human body so as to dissuade people from bursting crackers this Diwali.” 

The slogans to be used will include “Avoid crackers & save nature”, “Let us minimise the poisonous effects of crackers and maximise the happiness with earthen lamps”, “This Diwali only diyas, no fireworks”, “No crackers, let’s celebrate pollution free Diwali”, “Say no to fireworks and yes to happiness” and “Rally for cause, say no to crackers” apart from others. 

Agarwal said the administration will focus on students of private schools, who have maximum spending capacity. “Private school students buy more crackers compared to government school students. Children pressure parents into buying them crackers. We have seen that Patna records the highest level of sound pollution in past Diwalis. We want to discourage people from bursting crackers.” 

During the campaign, students and their parents will be asked to sign a no-cracker-use declaration. Essay and painting contests and debates on the topic “Say no to crackers” will also be organised in schools.  Agarwal said: “I appeal people not to waste money on crackers, they should better offer sweets and earthen diyas to the poor.” The administration will not impose any fine if anyone ignores the campaign. 

Bihar State Pollution Control Board member secretary S. Chandrasekhar said crackers were very harmful and had ill-effect on humans as well as the environment.