The Bombay High Court has imposed stringent restrictions on festive celebrations across Maharashtra, ordering a complete prohibition on bursting firecrackers on public streets and roads and banning laser and other high-intensity light displays during processions and festivals.
A division bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale passed the directions on September 22 in proceedings concerning noise and environmental pollution during public festivities.
The Court has also placed greater responsibility on organisers, requiring them to take preventive measures to ensure that celebrations do not breach prescribed noise limits.
Among the key requirements is the installation of internal sound limiters in sound systems used at festival venues and processions. Organisers must also install visible decibel meters so that sound levels can be monitored during events.
Security deposits made mandatory
Organisers will have to furnish security deposits as a condition for holding celebrations. Groups are required to deposit ₹1 lakh, while individuals must submit ₹50,000.
The amount will be forfeited if a violation of permitted decibel levels is recorded.
Authorities have additionally been directed to seize and confiscate sound equipment and other instruments found to be in violation of the prescribed norms.
Officials responsible for monitoring processions must record sound levels in the presence of representatives of the organisers. Processions must also prominently display written permissions, along with the names, addresses and mobile numbers of those responsible for organising them.
The Court further directed authorities to consider the combined noise impact within a particular ward before granting several permissions for different events.
Focus on prevention rather than penalties
The directions were issued in a suo motu public interest litigation taken up by the High Court to address pollution associated with festivals, including Ganeshotsav.
The bench stressed that authorities should intervene before excessive noise and pollution cause harm, rather than merely impose small penalties after violations have occurred.
Officials have also been directed to sensitise organisers about the applicable legal requirements at the start of processions.
The Court made clear that violations could attract action under the Noise Pollution Rules, the Environment (Protection) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosives Act.
The order comes amid the Court’s continuing scrutiny of noise levels, firecracker use and other sources of pollution associated with large public celebrations across Maharashtra.
