CHENNAI: Activists and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) are trying their best to drive out the smoke from Bhogi celebrations this year.

Bhogi is the last day of the Margazhi month (January 13 this year) when people clear the junk from their homes by burning them. In Chennai, the practice is more prevalent in slums, according to Exnora International activists.

Activist R. Chidambaram says slum dwellers burn plastic, leather and even rubber along with paper, cloth, brooms and mats. This leads to thick smog marring visibility. Every year on Bhogi day, take offs and landings of flights are delayed.

The bonfires also increase the amount of particulate matter in the air making breathing difficult, especially for those with respiratory problems such as asthma.

"Chemicals released during the burning of plastic and rubber can cause eye irritations and skin rashes," says Mr. Chidambaram.

The NGO has appealed to cycle shop owners to hand over old tyres and tubes to Exnora or the police for safekeeping as many revellers `borrow' them for Bhogi.

Exnora activists will visit Government schools on Wednesday and Thursday to impress upon students the need for a quiet, smokeless Bhogi.

North Chennai District Exnora and Mercury Matriculation Higher Secondary School organised an awareness campaign in North Chennai on Tuesday on the need to contain pollution caused by Bhogi.

They brought together TNPCB , the regional transport office, State Bank of India (MKB Nagar branch), police and fire department officials at the MKB Nagar bus terminus at 8 a.m. to flag off a rally consisting of students from 7 schools in the area.

Court order

The TNPCB cited a Supreme Court order that permits only the burning of logs and dried cow dung. According to a TNPCB release, action will be taken against violators of the court order.

The City Police, in a release, urged the people to refrain from burning tyres and tubes and materials that polluted the environment. Burning of such materials was punishable.

The smog emitted could cause accidents and affect health of people, especially children and the elderly.

Burning of waste near huts, petrol pumps or shops selling flammable materials and godowns could lead to accidents.

Preventive steps

The police have taken steps to prevent fires on Bhogi day and initiate action against those indulging in anti-social activities. Adequate protection had been provided to temples, places of entertainment, tourist spots, besides the Marina and Elliots beaches.

They had also intensified vehicular checking.

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