Mumbai bans rockets and aerial firecrackers till November 25 after rise in fire incidents

The use of rockets and similar firecrackers that fly into the sky has been banned in Mumbai. The Urban Disaster Management Authority, Brihanmumbai, has issued the directive. The ban will remain in force from November 9, 2026, till 11.59 pm on November 25, 2026.

A large number of fire incidents caused by firecrackers have been reported in Mumbai city and the suburbs over the past two days. Rockets and such aerial firecrackers in particular can fall on the roofs, balconies and windows of nearby buildings. If they land on combustible material, there is also a risk of fire.

Mumbai's make-up adds to the risk. The population is dense, buildings are tall, there are slum areas and the roads are narrow. The number of residential and commercial buildings is also very large. Considering all this, the use of rockets and similar aerial firecrackers has been banned as a precaution in the interest of public safety within the limits of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The order has been issued using the powers under Section 41 (A) (as amended), Section 26 (2), Section 30 and Section 34 (M) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The chairperson of the authority has enforced it within the limits of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The ban is not limited to one area. It applies to residential buildings, building terraces and rooftops, balconies, courtyards, parking areas and slum areas. The same ban will also apply to all other premises.

For effective implementation of the order, the Deputy Commissioner of Police of the zone concerned, the Assistant Commissioner of the municipal ward office and the Chief Fire Officer have been directed to take the necessary action.

The municipal administration has appealed to citizens to follow these rules and the order strictly. The administration said people should abide by it keeping their own safety and that of others in mind.