Bombay HC to ban firecrackers on streets, moots security deposit for mandals

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday said it will pass a detailed order banning firecrackers on public roads across Maharashtra and requiring Ganesh mandals to furnish a security deposit to enforce noise limits during religious processions. A division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale initiated suo motu proceedings after flagging unchecked noise and air pollution from high-decibel amplifiers, DJ sound systems and firecrackers during the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival. The court directed police to measure noise levels on-site with decibel meters, confiscate violating equipment and act preventively rather than merely issuing fines of Rs 5,000.

The bench also proposed banning the use of metal cylinders as musical instruments by dhol groups. It asked why Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra cannot follow the Nagpur police commissioner's ban on modified sound systems with DJs and laser beams, in force from September 4 to November 1. Advocate General Milind Sathe told the court that police grant permissions only for processions, not for loudspeakers, DJs, dhols or firecrackers. The court directed authorities to take immediate preventive action and urged citizens to recognise their duty towards society. It will pass the detailed order after the state government reports back on its proposed measures.