Bombay High Court Bans Firecrackers on Public Roads in Maharashtra

The Bombay High Court has ordered a total ban on bursting firecrackers and using laser lights, high-intensity lumen lights, and beams on public streets and roads during festive processions across Maharashtra. The ruling, issued on September 22 following a suo motu public interest litigation, aims to combat toxic air pollution and noise during celebrations such as Ganeshotsav.

Presiding Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale criticized the Government of Maharashtra for failing to enforce existing noise laws, noting that issuing fines after damage occurs is insufficient. The court highlighted the health impacts of noise exceeding 55 dB in residential areas and questioned why proactive bans, similar to those implemented by the Nagpur police commissioner, were not applied statewide. While Advocate General Milind Sathe noted that police had issued temporary bans in Mumbai, the court observed these orders were often only good on paper.

To ensure future compliance, the court mandated that organizers install internal sound limiters and visible decibel meters. Organizers must now submit security deposits—₹1 lakh for groups and ₹50,000 for individuals—which will be forfeited upon any decibel violation. Authorities are directed to seize non-compliant sound systems and prosecute violators under the Environment (Protection) Act, the Explosives Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.