Diwali celebrations bring joy, leave Jamshedpur littered with waste and pollution

Jamshedpur: The city celebrated the festival of lights, Diwali, with great fervour and enthusiasm last night. Streets and residential areas were illuminated with diyas, lights, and a burst of crackers, as people welcomed the festive season with gaiety. However, the morning after the celebrations painted a starkly different picture. The city woke up to streets littered with the remains of fireworks, reflecting the environmental cost of the revelry.

Despite repeated calls in previous years to curb the use of firecrackers, there was no decline in their usage this Diwali. Traders continued to sell crackers late into the night, and police were largely unable to prevent their sale in residential areas. The uncontrolled bursting of crackers throughout the night not only disrupted sleep but also left a massive clean-up challenge in its wake.

Residents expressed their frustration at the lack of responsibility shown by the public. Mohan Prasad, a resident of Parsudih, said, “It was difficult to sleep the whole night as people were bursting crackers. In the morning, nobody bothered to clear the rubbish left behind.” Another resident added, “We need to become responsible citizens. The entire area has been turned into a garbage dump. Wherever you walk, you find waste crackers. This is not a way to celebrate a traditional festival.”

Social worker Prakash Sharma of Jugsalai echoed similar concerns. “People had come out on the roads to light crackers. They were bursting crackers in the streets, but nobody came in the morning to clean up the litter. This shows that our residents are not responsible,” he said.

The environmental impact of the celebrations was also evident. Officials from the local Pollution Control Board reported a sharp spike in air pollution levels following the night’s festivities. “Since last night, pollution levels in Jamshedpur have increased many times. The huge amount of toxic gases released by crackers has added significantly to the city’s pollution,” said an official.

Meanwhile, the festive fervour was also seen in religious activities. The end of Diwali coincided with the immersion of Kali Puja idols, and most of the Kali Puja committees conducted peaceful processions for idol immersion, ensuring the cultural and spiritual traditions continued unharmed.

While Diwali brought happiness, lights, and community celebrations to Jamshedpur, the aftermath of litter and pollution underscores the need for greater public awareness and responsibility. Environmentalists and social workers have urged citizens to adopt sustainable practices and cleaner ways to celebrate festivals in order to protect both public health and the city’s environment.