Chandigarh/Mohali/Panchkula, Nov. 8 -- The wait's over! The grand festival of lights is finally here when tricity will come alive with the glow of diyas, sweetness of festive treats and the excitement of celebrations. To ensure residents have a safe Diwali, the tricity administrations have stepped up police deployment in their jurisdictions while emergency services, including fire and medical personnel, are also on standby. In Chandigarh, 800 police personnel will be deployed and 60 nakas - 40 floating and 20 outer-border - have been set up. The nakas will remain operational throughout the day and night. PCR vehicles and police motorcycles will patrol busy market areas. Mohali police have set up around 40 nakas across the city. Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Varinder Khosa said police are working round-the-clock to maintain law and order and ensure public safety. "Fire brigade teams have also been positioned at locations where firecrackers are being sold," he said. In Panchkula, 773 police personnel will be deployed across the district, with 34 checkpoints at strategic locations. The arrangements include 20 emergency response vehicles, 29 police riders, 12 PCR vehicles and three SWAT teams. Police will keep a close watch on markets, religious places, public gathering points and sensitive locations. Vehicles will also be checked at the district's entry and exit points, where barricading has been put in place. While the festive excitement may extend late into the night, the administration has restricted firecrackers bursting to a two-hour window - 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali night. In Chandigarh and Panchkula, only green crackers are permitted. Consumers can identify genuine green crackers by checking for the official CSIR-NEERI green fireworks logo and a unique QR code on the packaging. Series crackers, better known as laris, are strictly prohibited. The UT has also prohibited the bursting of crackers within 100 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare centres, educational institutions, courts, religious places and other designated silence zones. In Panchkula, the restriction extends to 300 metres around silence zones. Residents have been advised to purchase crackers only from authorised vendors and designated sale points. Online sales have been prohibited, with e-commerce platforms barred from accepting orders or delivering firecrackers within Chandigarh. Any violation will invite legal action. In Chandigarh, action will be taken under Section 223 (disobedience) of theBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with applicable provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Explosives Act, 1884. In Panchkula too, violators will face action under Section 223 of the BNS. PGIMER has also made special emergency arrangements to deal with firecracker-related eye injuries and other emergencies from November 8 to 10. Dr Usha Singh, head of the department, said, "We have made dedicated arrangements to ensure that every patient reporting with an eye emergency gets prompt medical attention and specialist care." The department has advised residents to maintain a safe distance while lighting or watching fireworks, avoid allowing children to handle crackers independently and refrain from using hazardous fireworks. People should also avoid rubbing or pressing an injured eye or attempting home remedies. For eye emergencies, contact: 9814014464 and Advanced Eye Centre Emergency: 6117 Meanwhile, the Chandigarh municipal corporation will deploy fogging machines, sprinklers and anti-smog guns to help prevent deterioration in air quality. The city's AQI stood at 76 on Saturday, falling in the satisfactory category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board....