BMC to put up silence zone banners at Shivaji Park as firecracker ban takes effect before Diwali

Ahead of Diwali, the BMC's G North ward is set to put up banners at Shivaji Park. The banners will tell visitors that the area is a silence zone and that bursting firecrackers is prohibited. According to a ward official, the step follows a Bombay High Court direction. The official also confirmed that Shivaji Park is a declared silence zone.

Vaibhav Rege, secretary of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park ALM, said: "This is a big thing. It is happening for the first time. Earlier there was just an old board near the police station, and even that had no mention of firecrackers."

A spokesperson for the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) said the Bombay High Court has restricted the bursting of ordinary firecrackers in public places, including roads, footpaths and open spaces. The spokesperson said: "No firecrackers or noise of any kind are permitted in a silence zone. The police will have to enforce this direction." The spokesperson laid particular stress on the additional restrictions that apply to silence zones.

Residents of Shivaji Park have long complained about the air and noise pollution caused every Diwali by firecrackers set off on a large scale. As a precaution, they submitted a petition at Shivaji Park police station on Tuesday. It demanded strict action in Shivaji Park against those who violate the guidelines on bursting firecrackers laid down in Bombay High Court orders.

Residents allege that police action has so far been inadequate because of staff shortages and political pressure. Asked about the police plan for the festival, an official at Shivaji Park police station said: "We are working on it."

A day after the residents' petition, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) announced that it will not hold Deepotsav at Shivaji Park this year. The party cited drought-like conditions across Maharashtra. Party chief Raj Thackeray said people from Mumbai, Thane and other parts of the state come to see the lights and fireworks at the annual event. Explaining the decision, he said: "But we have decided not to celebrate Deepotsav this year. The only reason is the terrible drought that has struck Maharashtra, continues and looms over it. Given this severe drought, my heart simply did not agree to hold such a celebration."

Residents, who have complained for years about rising air and noise pollution around Diwali, hope the cancellation of the event and the High Court direction will bring some relief this year. However, they fear people may still gather here and burst firecrackers on their own.

Renuka Pinto said: "My children and I have breathing problems. Construction pollution troubles us all year, and during Diwali the air gets so bad that we have to leave the city every year. The announcement that the event has been cancelled this year has brought some relief."

Vaibhav Rege, 49, said: "For the past few years the MNS has been holding a special firecracker and lights event at Diwali. Starting from Dhanteras, firecrackers go on for seven days, which makes the AQI very poor. The cancellation is temporary relief. I hope they keep it shut next year as well."

Nishant Gala, 48, said: "People come here from outside and burst firecrackers. The scale has grown with the event. I am relieved that the MNS has cancelled the event this year, but it may not be forever."

Madhukar Prabhu, a 75-year-old Shivaji Park resident, said: "For us elderly people, even opening a window becomes difficult. Even indoors, loud noise upsets children and pets. Many residents have also seen people being admitted to hospital."