The Bombay High Court has directed that firecrackers must not be burst in public places and on roads during the festival period, while also ordering action against unauthorised loudspeakers, DJs and other sound equipment used during processions in Mumbai. The directions were issued orally on Tuesday by a division bench hearing concerns over noise and air pollution.
The bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale observed that festivals could be celebrated without causing noise and air pollution. It said loudspeakers, DJs and laser beams used during processions were completely unnecessary, according to a report by Loksatta – Mumbai.
The court also directed that the use of loudspeakers without permission during immersion processions would not be allowed. Under environmental law and the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, the use of loudspeakers requires permission. The court said a copy of the permission would be required to be displayed on the loudspeaker equipment before it was used.
The directions place responsibility on authorities to act immediately against violations. The bench said strict action should be taken against those who cross prescribed noise limits by using excessively loud instruments during processions. The order is intended to regulate activities in public spaces where festival celebrations, traffic movement and residential neighbourhoods overlap.
The court further indicated that it would issue a complete ban on sound-amplification equipment used to increase volume during processions. It also said authorities would be directed to collect a substantial security deposit while granting permissions for processions. The deposit is intended to strengthen compliance with conditions imposed while granting permission, although the exact amount was not specified in the report.
The directions cover multiple sources of festival-related pollution rather than only firecrackers. Firecrackers affect both air quality and ambient noise levels, while loudspeakers, DJs and procession instruments can create concentrated noise in residential and mixed-use areas. The court’s observations therefore address how permissions for public events are issued and enforced across Mumbai’s streets and public spaces.
The court clarified that a detailed written order covering these directions would be published later on the official Bombay High Court website. Until that order is available, the report does not establish the full wording, duration or enforcement mechanism of each direction. Further operational details, including the process for displaying permission documents and the security deposit requirements, are expected to be set out in the written order.
