The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government authorities to maintain sustained efforts against noise and air pollution, stressing that public awareness campaigns must continue beyond the festive season. A division bench of Justices G. S. Kulkarni and Dr. Neela Gokhale reviewed the steps taken by the Mumbai Police, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to implement earlier orders regulating loudspeakers and firecrackers.
The proceedings arose from the court's suo motu public interest litigation concerning noise and environmental pollution, alongside pending applications in related public interest litigation.
Background
The court had previously expressed concern that authorities were not implementing its directions effectively. Despite earlier orders dated September 22 and October 15, 2026, processions involving sound systems without appropriate licences and the bursting of firecrackers on public streets continued to raise concerns about noise levels and pollution.
The court subsequently required senior officials to submit affidavits detailing their compliance measures and directed the authorities to improve public awareness and enforcement.
The authorities informed the bench about several initiatives, including newspaper advertisements, television commercials, billboards, radio campaigns and awareness programmes in schools. The BMC also appointed a nodal officer to coordinate compliance and directed that noise pollution complaints received through its helpline be forwarded to the police for necessary action.
Acknowledging these steps, the bench emphasised that temporary measures would not be sufficient. The court observed:
"The awareness campaign and the redress mechanism employed by the authorities are commendable. However, these measures and efforts need to be continuous and sustained to achieve a clean environment."
The judges also highlighted the need for an effective, citizen-friendly complaint mechanism. The police informed the court that complaints could be made through helpline numbers 100 and 112, while the BMC's helpline, 1916, could also receive noise pollution complaints. The bench stressed that coordination between the departments and proper training for personnel handling complaints were essential.
The court further raised concerns about pollution in Mumbai's slum areas, observing that awareness campaigns needed to reach these communities. It directed the Municipal Commissioner, MPCB and Police Department to meet the Chief Executive Officer of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority and coordinate further measures.
On involving celebrities in awareness campaigns, the bench clarified that public funds should not be spent hiring them. Instead, it expected public figures to contribute voluntarily to the environmental cause.
The High Court appreciated the authorities' efforts but cautioned that implementation must remain consistent. It observed:
"This needs to be a sustained effort, campaign and endeavour, until a clean and ambient environment is achieved to be the norm."
The bench adjourned the proceedings to November 19, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., for further steps by the concerned officials.
