BMC restricts bursting firecrackers after 10 pm during Diwali in Mumbai, issues guidelines

With Mumbai’s air quality dipping lately, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has banned bursting of firecrackers after 10 p.m. during the ongoing Diwali festivities. The Mumbai civic body has issued new guidelines to restrict the use of firecrackers during Diwali and at the same time urged citizens to follow the same in order to combat air pollution in the city.

The civic body has deployed monitoring squads in all the 26 municipal wards to keep an eye on violators flouting dust mitigation norms. Additionally, the BMC has suggested precautionary measures for citizens such as bursting firecrackers only in open spaces, avoiding crowded areas and keeping an eye on children. It has appealed to the citizens to celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly manner.

Combating pollution and addressing health risks

“To keep a check on air and noise pollution, the timing for the bursting crackers has been limited till 10 pm in Mumbai on the day of Diwali. Citizens are urged to burst crackers that would cause minimum sound and air pollution,” the BMC mentioned in a statement.

“With air pollution increasing rapidly across the country, Mumbai’s air quality has also deteriorated significantly. People burst firecrackers during Diwali, which contributes to air pollution. Therefore, firecrackers should be burst in as small a quantity as possible to reduce air and noise pollution. Air pollution caused by firecrackers is causing great distress to infants, pregnant women, the elderly, and people suffering from asthma. It is important to follow the guidelines to avoid health-related problems,” the statement further reads.

In case there is a fire emergency, citizens have been urged to call 101 or the civic helpline 1916, as recommended by the Mumbai Fire Department of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (BMC).

BMC Do’s and Don’ts

The BMC also published a list of Do’s and Don’ts to be followed by citizens during Diwali festivities

Do’s

Wear thick cotton clothes while bursting crackers.

Firecrackers should be kept away from children and should be accompanied by adults while bursting.

Always use footwear while bursting crackers.

Keep a bucket full of water nearby while lighting firecrackers and, in case of burns, immediately pour plenty of clean water on the burned area.

Don’ts

Firecrackers should not be burst inside the building and on the staircase.

Avoid using match boxes or lighters to light firecrackers.

Firecrackers should not be burst in the air near trees, overhead electric wires or tall buildings.

Do not place lamps near window curtains.

Do not burst firecrackers near electric wires, gas pipelines or parking lots.

While setting up electrical lighting decorations at home or in buildings, seek help from certified technicians and ensure the setup is not overloaded.

This Diwali, let safety be our first spark! ✨

Let’s follow the essential instructions issued by the Brihnmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Mumbai Fire Brigade to double the joy of the Diwali

Celebrate a Clean and safe Diwali together!🪔#MyBMCUpdates #DiwaliSafety… pic.twitter.com/7j64nlrwZ3

— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) October 30, 2024

Monitoring dust mitigation norms

Apart from appealing to citizens, the municipal body has also deployed ground level teams in all the 26 municipal wards who will monitor dust mitigation norms. Over the past one week, notices have been issued to over 15 contractors operating mostly in Andheri and Bandra areas over flouting BMC norms, as per sources. CCTV cameras are also being installed in construction sites, to record whether all the dust mitigation norms are being followed.