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Bombay HC Extends Diwali Firecracker Ban Permanently
16 Oct
Summary
- Bombay High Court imposes a year-round ban on street firecracker bursting.
- The ban aims to curb toxic pollution affecting citizens, especially children.
- Authorities must create awareness and complaint mechanisms for green crackers.
The Bombay High Court has mandated a permanent, year-round ban on bursting firecrackers on streets throughout Maharashtra. This extension of an earlier order, initially enacted during Ganeshotsav, signifies a significant shift towards combating pollution. The court emphasized that the "toxic pollution" from firecrackers severely affects public health, especially children and senior citizens.
The bench highlighted the worsening air quality in major cities like Mumbai and Pune, with AQI levels reaching concerning heights. They stressed that future generations must be healthy and not burdened by health issues stemming from severe air pollution. The court urged citizens to become conscious of the long-term hazards.
Authorities are directed to implement public awareness campaigns involving celebrities and utilize public transport for announcements to promote green, low-emission crackers. A mechanism for citizen complaints, including dedicated phone numbers and email addresses, will also be established. The court clarified that manufacturing and sale are not restricted, only the street bursting activity.
