Will request CM Fadnavis to ban firecrackers: Maharashtra environment minister Ramdas Kadam

Maharashtra environment minister Ramdas Kadam has said he supports ban on crackers in Maharashtra in line with the Supreme Court order.

On Monday, India's Supreme Court had banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi and adjoining areas which included Noida, Gurugram and Ghaziabad till November 1. 

Experts welcomed the top court's order, cautioning that while firecrackers cause episodic spikes in levels of air pollutants, what is needed is a sustained focus on tackling the menace.

"I will talk to Fadnavis and request if we can also ban crackers in Maharashtra on lines of the Supreme Court order for Delhi," ANI quoted Kadam as saying.

The apex court had last month temporarily lifted its earlier order suspending licences for sale of firecrackers, saying a complete ban would be an "extreme step" and a graded approach was needed to curb pollution caused by them.

The court, however, had said its order lifting the ban on sale of firecrackers might require a "review" after Diwali depending on the ambient air quality after the festival.