The Mumbai police will ensure that firecrackers that cause noise pollution will not be burst in public places like Marine Drive and Girgaum Chowpatty this Diwali.
The police will be adhering to the Supreme Court guidelines which direct all the states to work towards controlling the rise in noise pollution during festivals. The directions were given while deciding on a plea filed by the Prevention of Environment and Sound Pollution.
“There shall be a complete ban on bursting sound-emitting firecrackers between 10pm and 6am. It is not necessary to impose restrictions on bursting of colour/light emitting firecrackers,” the order stated.
Additional commissioner of police, south region, Krishna Prakash, said, “Efforts will be made to ensure that these rules are followed at Marine Drive and Girgaum Chowpatty, which witness maximum celebration. On Friday, we had a meeting with officials from A, C and D wards,
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Awaaz Foundation regarding the Supreme Court guidelines and sound pollution rules that have to be followed. While we know that it would be difficult to keep track of fireworks used at homes, we have decided to distribute pamphlets to ensure that nobody should use firecrackers that are prohibited after 10pm.”
The guidelines also state, “The Department of Explosives (DOE) shall undertake necessary research activity for the purpose and come out with the chemical formulae for each type or class of firecrackers. The DOE shall specify the proportion/composition as well as the maximum permissible weight of every chemical used in manufacturing the firecrackers.”
“Every firecracker manufacturer should mention on the box the details of its chemical contents and that it satisfies the requirement laid down by the DOE. In case of a failure on the part of the manufacturer to mention the details or in cases the contents of the box do not match the chemical formulae as stated, the manufacturer will be held liable.”
