The Bombay High Court has directed a total ban on bursting firecrackers during festivities on public streets, roads and similar public spaces across Maharashtra. The Court also ordered tighter controls on loudspeakers, sound systems, laser lights and other sources of noise pollution during festivals.
The directions were issued by a Division Bench comprising Justice G. S. Kulkarni and Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale in suo motu proceedings concerning noise and environmental pollution caused by unregulated music systems, amplifiers and firecrackers during festivals.
Background
The proceedings arose from concerns over increasing noise and air pollution during festive processions and celebrations. The Court examined the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, which regulate loudspeakers, sound-producing instruments and sound-emitting firecrackers.
The Rules require prior written permission for the use of loudspeakers and public address systems and prescribe permissible noise limits for different areas. They also prohibit sound-emitting firecrackers in silence zones and during night hours.
The Bench noted that despite existing legal provisions and earlier judicial directions, violations continued during festivals.
The Court expressed concern that noise-control provisions were often remaining only on paper because of inadequate enforcement. It stressed that authorities must adopt preventive measures instead of waiting for complaints after excessive noise has already affected residents.
The Bench observed:
"It cannot be a situation that merely because there are festivities, the mandate in regard to the implementation of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000, is presumed to be non-existent and/or completely relaxed, as if there is no requirement to adhere to any noise pollution norms."
The Court also considered the environmental and safety concerns arising from firecrackers being burst on public streets, where pedestrians and vehicles are present.
It further observed:
"The toxicity of pollution being generated by the firecrackers and the cumulative effect it has on the air quality is a serious health hazard, also harmful to every person who is participating in such events."
The Bench directed that firecrackers shall not be burst during festivities on public streets and roads. Authorities were directed to prevent the resulting air and noise pollution.
The Court also prohibited the use of laser lights, high-intensity lumen lights and beams during festivities and processions. Police and other authorities were directed to measure noise levels and take action against unauthorised sound systems, including seizure and confiscation of offending equipment.
Organisers seeking permission for sound-producing devices must install visible decibel measurement meters and provide an undertaking that their sound systems contain internal sound limiters. Authorities must also maintain records of noise levels, including cumulative levels.
The Court further directed authorities to consider substantial security deposits of at least ₹1 lakh for associations or groups and ₹50,000 for individuals as a condition for granting permissions, with forfeiture possible in case of decibel-limit violations.
The Bombay High Court directed strict implementation of these measures and ordered that the directions be circulated to all concerned authorities in Maharashtra for compliance during festivities.
The proceedings were adjourned to October 15, 2026.
