The West Tripura district administration has cancelled applications for licences and permits to sell or store conventional firecrackers ahead of Durga Puja 2026, reiterating that only approved reduced-emission and green crackers will be permitted in the state.

In a notification issued on October 13, District Magistrate and Collector of West Tripura, Dr Vishal Kumar, IAS, stated that all applications received for the sale and storage of firecrackers other than approved improved crackers and green crackers had been cancelled or rejected in accordance with the state government’s existing notification.

The notification said that restrictions had been imposed across Tripura to reduce air and noise pollution. Accordingly, only firecrackers with reduced emissions, commonly known as improved crackers, and approved green crackers would be permitted to be manufactured and sold in the state.

The production and sale of all other categories of firecrackers have been prohibited throughout Tripura. The manufacture, sale and use of joined firecrackers, including series crackers or laris, have also been banned due to the air pollution, noise pollution and solid waste they generate.

The administration clarified that no licence would be issued for banned categories of firecrackers. Anyone found manufacturing, selling, storing or bursting prohibited crackers, including laris, would face strict legal action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Explosives Act.

Only licensed traders will be allowed to sell and store approved improved and green crackers, subject to the conditions specified in the notification. The permissible noise level must not exceed 90 decibels (dB(A)) at a distance of five metres.

The notification also explained that improved crackers are designed to reduce particulate emissions by 15–20 per cent, while approved green crackers, including Safe Water and Air Sprinklers (SWAS), are designed to reduce particulate emissions by 30–35 per cent, along with reducing certain gaseous emissions.

The Superintendent of Police, West Tripura; the Commissioner of Agartala Municipal Corporation; the Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Sadar, Mohanpur and Jirania; the Member Secretary of the Tripura State Pollution Control Board; and the Divisional Fire Officer, Sadar, have been informed of the notification for necessary action, enforcement and public awareness.

The district administration has urged all concerned to comply strictly with the notification during the festive season.