Cluster of green firework units to come up in Parganas, West Bengal

Kolkata, Apr 1 (KNN) The West Bengal government has decided to set up a cluster of green fireworks units in the Parganas district of the state.

Addressing the media on Friday, state’s Environment minister Manas Bhunia said that in a meeting with the stakeholders, it was decided to draft a framework that will carry the do’s and don’ts of fireworks manufacturing.

"We are beginning with Mahestala area in South 24 Parganas district. More such clusters will be set up in other fireworks hubs like Champahati, Nungi and other places in coming days,” he said.

Bhunia pointed out that the entire fireworks industry will be regulated.

“We wish to bring it to the mainstream by introducing one window system where the fireworks manufacturers will have all their requirements met,” he added.

The environment minister said the clusters will be brought under MSME department.

A senior WBPCB official said around 30 fireworks units will come under the first cluster.

To give more teeth to the production of green fireworks, the department is in talks with NEERI for facilitating one testing lab here, so that the fireworks makers need not go outside the state, Bhuniya said. 

Fire services minister Sujit Basu said the department will ask fireworks makers to follow all standard protocols for making fireworks but the final action rested with police.  (KNN Bureau)