India's capital bans fireworks to curb air pollution

New Delhi: India s capital New Delhi ordered Monday a complete ban on fireworks in a bid to curb air pollution in a city where levels are regularly...

New Delhi: India's capital New Delhi ordered Monday a "complete ban" on fireworks in a bid to curb air pollution in a city where levels are regularly ranked among the worst in the world.

The ban is the toughest in a string of restrictions on the hugely popular firecrackers -- rules that have been widely flouted.

"There will be a complete ban on the manufacturing, storage, selling... and bursting of all kinds of firecrackers," the Delhi Pollution Control Committee said in a statement.

The order was made in view of the "public interest to curb high air pollution", it said.

It comes two weeks before Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights on November 1, where many see fireworks as integral to celebrations.