Baramati city police have warned residents that bursting crackers on public roads and using DJs, loudspeakers and laser lights without permission will attract legal action, with the restrictions applying across festivals and not only during Ganeshotsav.
The police announcement follows an order issued by the Bombay High Court on September 22 in Public Interest Litigation No. 1 of 2026. A clarification issued on October 15 stated that the restrictions apply to festivals including Diwali, Dussehra and Navratri, according to the police press release.
Under the applicable noise-pollution rules, sound-producing crackers cannot be burst between 10 pm and 6 am. The police said there is no exemption from the prohibition on bursting crackers on public roads. Residents and organisers have also been asked to take particular care around hospitals, schools, courts and other designated silence zones.
The restrictions cover public celebrations as well as individual activity in public spaces. Organisers seeking to use DJs or loudspeakers must obtain written permission from the competent authority. Although a relaxation until midnight may be available for specially notified festivals, the police said this does not operate automatically and requires separate permission.
The police have also advised residents and event organisers not to use laser lights or intense light beams. Public celebration committees have been asked to ensure that their programmes comply with the applicable rules and do not create disturbance or health risks for others.
The directions also place obligations on cracker sellers. Vendors must hold valid licences and comply with fire-safety requirements and provisions governing explosive substances. The police did not announce any general permission for cracker sales or public-road use beyond the requirements already set out under the relevant rules.
The police said enforcement would be based on available evidence and that people violating the directions could face legal action. Residents who notice violations have been asked to contact Baramati city police or call the emergency number 112.
The announcement links the restrictions to public health, noting that cracker smoke can contribute to respiratory disorders and other health problems. It also urges residents to celebrate in an environmentally responsible manner and frames the enforcement message around preventing one person’s celebration from affecting the health and comfort of others.
For Baramati’s civic spaces, the directions make public roads a specific enforcement zone rather than treating cracker use as only a private or residential matter. The requirements for written permission, silence-zone precautions and compliance by vendors will determine how public celebrations are conducted during the festival period. The next step is enforcement of the stated restrictions and action on complaints received through the police or emergency helpline.
