CHANDIGARH: To check growing air pollution during Diwali, authorities at the Golden Temple in Amritsar have decided to reduce the duration of the hour-long fireworks show to 15 minutes.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC), secretary, Manjit Singh, said, “In the past too, we have cut down on the duration of the fireworks to control pollution. Last Diwali, the fireworks display lasted for 25 minutes and this year, it will be just 15 minutes. Besides we have told people not to burst crackers which cause more pollution like the anars.” “The budget of fireworks display has also been reduced,” Singh said. “Last year it was Rs 1.70 lakh, while this year it’s only be Rs 1.20 lakh.’’
The pure gold sheets of the Golden Temple, which were replaced in 1999, started turning black as pollution levels around the Temple complex went up. Last year, the pollution around the Temple was 371 micro gms/cubic metre. The noise pollution was almost three times more than normal, being 73 dbc against the 55 dbc limit.
“Besides, reducing the time of fireworks display and prohibiting crackers that cause more pollution, the deepmala (lighting) will be done using small LED lights, which consume less power than normal bulbs and would also not harm the gold sheets,’’ he said.
The Golden Temple complex has also been made into a no-vehicle zone and battery-operated vehicles ferry devotees from Phwara Chowk to the Golden Temple. Earlier, in an interim report, the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, had stated that the Golden Temple is adversely affected by pollution caused in its 10-km radius by industries, vehicles, generators, restaurants and stubble burning by farmers.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the Golden Temple entrance plaza is expected to be opened for public on Diwali. The Rs 78-crore project was launched in May 2011. The first phase provides seating facilities around trees and fountains in the landscaped area in front of the clock tower side entry of the shrine, while the second phase would include constructing a basement that would have state-of-the-art information and interpretation facilities for tourists, a multi-purpose hall, banking services, railways and airline booking services and public conveniences. It would also provide for a VIP lounge and a conference hall for dignitaries to interact with the media as well as hold meetings. Service lanes around the shrine would come up to cater to the needs of the devotees.
Chairman of Eco Amritsar and also of WWF, Punjab, Gunbir Singh said, “We are educating the schoolchildren in the holy city to celebrate a green Diwali this time and not burst crackers. We are holding numerous shows and organic rangoli competitions in schools and also collaborating with the local radio channel to spread this message,” he said.
A Double Celebration
The Bandhi Chorh Divas (Prisoner Release Day) is celebrated on the same day as Diwali in Punjab. The day holds great historical significance as it was on this day that the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, was released from the Gwalior Mughal prison along with 52 kings. The Guru had found a way to get the innocent kings released from the prison without a battle and his release is celebrated by lighting up the Golden Temple with lamps.