Mumbai: 10pm deadline for crackers openly flouted, says NGO

Mumbai: The noise pollution due to firecrackers fell in the city as compared to pre-Covid levels. However, what remained a concern was the flouting of the 10 pm deadline and the permissible level for various zones that need to be maintained.

As per readings released by Awaaz Foundation, which conducted the noise pollution tests on Monday night, the highest decibel recorded this year was 109.1 dB. This was less as compared to 112.3 dB in 2019 before the Covid restrictions set in. In 2020, the highest decibel level recorded was 105.5dB. The Foundation did not conduct any tests in the year 2021. 

Banned crackers containing toxic chemicals detected

The noise continued beyond 11.45 pm this time although there was heavy police presence, she claimed.

At Marine Drive in south Mumbai and Shivaji Park in Dadar, where a number of people congregated within the park, the bursting of firecrackers continued beyond midnight without any visible police presence, she said.

"I received numerous complaints from citizens at Juhu, Bandra, Worli, some of whom also tweeted the police," Abdulali said.

Firecrackers are permitted to be burst till 10 pm under the noise rules and court orders, the release said.

Though no crackers containing toxic chemicals are permitted as per the Supreme Court orders, their presence was detected in a separate test and heavy smoke filled the air at sites where crackers were burst on Diwali night, Abdulali said.