Bombay High Court Bans Firecrackers and Laser Lights During Maharashtra Festivals

The Bombay High Court has ordered a total ban on the bursting of firecrackers on public streets and roads during festive processions across Maharashtra. In a suo motu public interest litigation, a division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale also prohibited the use of laser lights, high-intensity lumen lights, and beams during celebrations, declaring such practices completely unwarranted.

The court referred to previous legal decisions examining noise pollution as a health hazard and a violation of the right to life under Article 21. Courts have previously held noise pollution rules to be mandatory and upheld bans on DJs and Dolby sound systems during immersion and Navratri.

The court emphasized that celebrations should not come at the cost of public health or the violation of established environmental norms. Questioning the necessity of noise and air pollution in religious contexts, the bench remarked that responsible societal behavior should prioritize the well-being of citizens, including students, the elderly, and the ailing. The court cited the Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur as an example of a procession conducted peacefully without the use of loudspeakers or excessive noise.

To enforce these standards, the bench issued a series of mandatory preventive measures for event organizers. Organizers are now required to install clearly visible decibel measurement meters at venues and during processions. Furthermore, they must submit affidavits guaranteeing that all sound systems are equipped with internal volume limiters. To ensure accountability, the court mandated security deposits of ₹1 lakh for groups and ₹50,000 for individuals, which will be forfeited if decibel limits are breached.

Authorities have been directed to take immediate action against non-compliant organizers, including the seizure and confiscation of sound systems and other offending equipment. Designated officials are tasked with recording noise levels in the presence of organizer representatives. Additionally, all processions must publicly display written permissions, along with the names, addresses, and mobile numbers of the individuals responsible for the event. Before issuing multiple permits within a single ward, authorities must now conduct a scientific assessment of the cumulative noise impact.

The bench clarified that its order is not intended to discourage festivals themselves, but to ensure they are conducted in a dignified and civilized manner. Violators face potential prosecution under the Noise Pollution Rules, the Environment (Protection) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Explosives Act. The court has adjourned the matter for compliance review until October 15.

Residential area noise standards specify 55 dB(A) Leq for day time and 45 dB(A) Leq for night time, while silence zones permit 50 dB(A) Leq during day time and 40 dB(A) Leq at night. Previous monitoring by the Awaaz Foundation recorded peak festival noise levels exceeding these permissible decibel limits.