In a significant move, the Bombay High Court issued directives on Monday regarding the bursting of firecrackers during the Diwali festival. Considering the heavy air pollution and poor Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city, the court ruled that firecrackers can only be burst between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
A division bench, consisting of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Girish Kulkarni, has instructed all municipal corporations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to adhere to these guidelines promptly to address the deteriorating AQI situation.
The court was presiding over a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) related to the worsening air quality in Mumbai, which has become a matter of great concern in recent weeks, prompting the need for remedial actions.
The judges emphasized the urgency of making a choice between a pollution-free environment and celebrating Diwali with firecrackers. They urged the state government to take decisive action, highlighting the city's severe air pollution problems and the inability to rely solely on nature to improve the situation.
In addition to the restrictions on firecrackers, the high court has temporarily suspended the movement of construction debris to and from construction sites in the city until Diwali. If the AQI does not show improvement by Friday, the court may even consider prohibiting the transportation of construction materials to and from these sites.
The court also ordered the implementation of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)'s recent measures under the Mumbai Air Pollution Mitigation Plan. These measures include erecting metal sheets around construction sites, using sprinklers to suppress dust, enforcing traffic regulations, and other rules to control air pollution.
The court specified that the BMC Ward Officer in charge would be held personally responsible for any lapses, and all Municipal Commissioners in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region must not only supervise the measures being implemented but also identify any negligent officers.
To ensure proper oversight, the court ordered the formation of a two-member committee comprising the Director of Public Health Services and the Director of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). This committee will monitor and supervise the daily actions taken by municipal authorities in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to address air pollution concerns.
(With Agency Inputs)
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