Firecrackers on roads banned this Diwali in Mumbai; sale of foreign-made crackers also barred

Diwali is only a few days away. Firecrackers are burst on a large scale across the country during the festival, and cracker shops have begun to come up in many places. This time, however, those planning fireworks will have to follow certain police rules. The police administration and environment-related agencies are ready to curb noise and air pollution caused by firecrackers during the festival.

Rules have been issued for bursting firecrackers and for their temporary sale. Bursting firecrackers in public places, on roads, on footpaths and in lanes and neighbourhoods has been prohibited. The administration has warned that cases will be registered against those who break the rules.

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Mumbai municipal corporation have appealed to people to follow the rules. The use of firecrackers has been restricted in line with directions of the Bombay High Court.

Under the rules, bursting firecrackers on roads, footpaths and lanes, and within 10 metres of a road, is prohibited. Bursting them within 100 metres of hospitals, educational institutions, government offices and courts is also banned. Noise-making firecrackers are barred from 10 pm to 6 am. The use of lasers, high-intensity lights and beam lights at festivals and processions is also prohibited. People have been asked to learn the local rules before bursting firecrackers and to keep the necessary distance for safety.

To curb noise pollution, emphasis has been laid on making devices that measure sound levels mandatory at events. Events held at private venues will also have to keep to the prescribed noise limit. People have been asked to burst only green firecrackers, which cause less pollution, and only during the permitted hours.

Violators can face action under laws on noise pollution control, environment protection, criminal law and explosive substances. Complaints about violations can be lodged on the MPCB's "Maha Paryavaran" app. Meanwhile, Awaaz Foundation has claimed that toxic heavy metals have been found even in green firecrackers. The organisation has demanded a ban on all kinds of firecrackers.

The Bombay High Court has expressed displeasure with the administration over poor enforcement of the restrictions. The court also recorded that some police officers said they were not aware of the restrictions. The heads of the Mumbai municipal corporation, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the police have been directed to appear in court on October 26.

Licences for temporary firecracker sales will be issued for the period from November 6 to December 5, 2026. After a licence expires, vendors cannot sell firecrackers. Unsold stock must be returned to an authorised warehouse or to a wholesale licence holder. Setting off fireworks within 50 metres of a temporary firecracker stall is prohibited. The sale of foreign-made firecrackers is also banned.

Limits on firecracker noise have been set in line with Supreme Court directions and environment protection rules. The manufacture, sale and use of firecrackers that produce more than 125 decibels at a distance of four metres from the point of bursting are prohibited. Chain crackers (strings) with more than 100 crackers are banned. A legal ban will also apply to "atom bombs" of a particular size.

Overall, people celebrating Diwali must avoid noise and air pollution, follow the rules and put public safety first. They should buy firecrackers only from authorised sellers and follow notices from the local administration.