Bombay HC raps Mumbai Police, BMC and MPCB over firecracker and noise curbs during Navratri, Dussehra

The Bombay High Court has sharply reprimanded the Mumbai Police, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for failing to enforce restrictions on firecrackers and noise pollution during Navratri and Dussehra.

The court had earlier ordered that firecrackers would not be burst in public places and on roads, and that noise pollution levels would be kept under control. Violations of these rules have, however, come to light during the festival days.

Expressing deep displeasure, the court asked why local police were unaware of the directions and why no action was taken against violators. It was surprised to learn that police personnel at several police stations did not know of the court's directions. It also asked why police did not intervene when firecrackers were being burst on crowded roads or when processions were being taken out without the necessary permission.

The bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale directed the Mumbai police commissioner, the municipal commissioner and the MPCB member secretary to appear in court on Monday. They will have to explain what steps are being taken to ensure the orders are followed.

The court also warned that if the agencies continue to ignore the directions, the officials concerned will be held accountable and contempt of court proceedings may be initiated against them.

Voicing concern over rising air and noise pollution in Mumbai, the High Court also criticised the state government and the municipal administration. According to the court, the situation is growing serious, yet the administration's response is very slow. The bench said pollution levels in Mumbai have become extremely worrying and that the city's condition looks like Delhi's, or even worse.

The court asked how officials could sit idle when lakhs of residents are affected by pollution and immediate steps are needed. Citing reports of reduced visibility in the city because of dense smog, it said people need greater awareness and a change in their behaviour.

The court also questioned the lack of effective action against construction-related pollution and illegal dumping of waste. According to the bench, the rules and standard operating procedures (SOPs) appear to exist only on paper.

Orders on the firecracker restrictions and noise pollution had been issued on September 22 and October 15. The court expressed displeasure that adequate public notice of these orders was not given. It asked the agencies concerned to publicise the restrictions through newspapers and social media by October 24. The campaign must also carry information on the harmful effects of firecrackers on air quality and human health.

The bench said plainly that merely issuing orders will not solve the problem and that the administration must ensure they are actually implemented.

The Mumbai police commissioner has been directed to ensure the court's orders reach the heads of all police stations. The commissioner must also file an affidavit stating that the directions have been communicated and are being followed.

The court has also asked the departments concerned to clarify their roles and to submit a report showing compliance with the earlier orders. According to the bench, framing rules alone is not enough to tackle Mumbai's growing pollution; effective implementation is essential.