New Delhi: The Delhi Environment minister on Wednesday banned production, sale and use of firecrackers till January 1, 2023.

The ban will be applicable on online sale and delivery of crackers as well, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote in a tweet. “Production, storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers are being completely banned so that people’s lives can be saved,” Rai tweeted.  The Delhi Police, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Revenue Department will plan to implement the ban, he further said.

The Delhi Govt had banned sale and bursting of firecrackers in the city from September last year to January 1st 2022. The city government had also launched the ‘patakhe nahi diye jalao’ campaign to create awareness against burning of firecrackers.

Several were fined under relevant Indian Penal Code provisions and the Explosives Act for violating the ban.