The Mumbai Police have banned the bursting of firecrackers on public roads and the use of laser lights, high-intensity lights and beams during festivities and processions until December 4, 2026, following directions from the Bombay High Court on noise and environmental pollution.
The preventive order was issued on October 5 by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Akbar Pathan under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 10(2) of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951. It came into effect at 12.01 a.m. on October 6 and will remain in force until midnight on December 4, unless withdrawn earlier.
The restrictions apply across the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Police Commissionerate. They prohibit the bursting of firecrackers, fireworks and rockets on public streets and roads, as well as the use of laser lights, high-intensity lumen lights and beams during festivities and processions. Violations may attract action under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Explosives Act, 1884, and other applicable laws.
The order follows a September 22 order by a Division Bench of Justices G.S. Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale in a suo motu public interest litigation concerning noise and environmental pollution during festivals. The High Court directed a complete ban on firecrackers on public streets and roads during festivities and instructed authorities to prohibit laser lights, high-intensity lights and beams during processions.
The court also directed authorities to monitor noise levels at festival venues and processions and act against unauthorised sound systems. Equipment found violating prescribed noise limits can be seized and confiscated. Organisers seeking permission to use sound systems must undertake to install decibel meters at prominent locations where they are visible to authorities and the public. They must also confirm through an undertaking or affidavit that their sound systems have internal sound limiters.
Permissions for festivities must be prominently displayed along with the names, addresses and mobile numbers of the people responsible for organising them. The High Court also directed authorities to consider collecting security deposits of at least ₹1 lakh from associations or groups and ₹50,000 from individuals seeking permission to use sound systems. These deposits may be forfeited if noise limits are violated.
The Bench said poor enforcement of existing regulations had allowed noise pollution during festivals to continue affecting senior citizens, patients, students and children. It also cited the risks posed by firecrackers on public roads, including accidents involving pedestrians and motorists, as well as their contribution to deteriorating air quality.
Before granting permissions for sound systems, authorities have been directed to assess the cumulative impact of multiple permissions within the same ward. The Bombay High Court is scheduled to hear the matter again on October 15, 2026.
