Expressing concerns over rising air pollution in the city during the festive season, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday called it “shocking” that the coastal city is surpassing Delhi in pollution levels.
The court pulled up civic authorities, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the police for failing to implement court directives aimed at controlling air and noise pollution during festivals. It issued strict directives regarding the bursting of firecrackers in the city. A ban has been imposed on bursting firecrackers on public roads, streets, and footpaths. Instructions have also been issued to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for taking action against those who violate the ban. The High Court expressed strong displeasure over the lack of control regarding the bursting of firecrackers on public roads. “No action on the issue of prior permission to use music systems in the processions being obtained, with an undertaking to comply with the decibel limits. Also, burning of firecrackers on busy public streets is not being controlled. There appears to be routine violations of the orders passed by this Court,” it observed. The Police Commissioner has been directed to convene a meeting with senior officers from all police stations to communicate the details of the ban.
The BMC Commissioner and the Mumbai Police Commissioner have been directed to file an affidavit detailing the strict enforcement of this order by October 26.
