Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in light of rising pollution levels across the country on Tuesday has issued new guidelines for the use of firecrackers during the Diwali festival.
The BMC’s official statement underscores that the air quality in Mumbai has significantly deteriorated and that firecrackers contribute to this problem.
The BMC has advised Mumbai residents to refrain from bursting firecrackers after 10 PM and has urged people to reduce the number of firecrackers they use. “Pollution is rapidly increasing across the country, and the air quality in Mumbai has also deteriorated significantly. During the Diwali festival, people light firecrackers, which contributes to air pollution,” the statement read.
According to the new guidelines, firecrackers should only be ignited in open areas and not in narrow streets or crowded places. The BMC underlined the importance of using as few firecrackers as possible to minimise air and noise pollution. The health risks associated with firecracker use were also highlighted, as air pollution can lead to serious health issues for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and asthma patients. Residents were urged to be mindful of these risks.
In addition to the guidelines, the BMC has made several appeals to residents. They stated, “Diwali is a festival of lights. Prioritise celebrating it with lights to avoid noise and air pollution.” The BMC also recommends using soundless firecrackers and those that produce minimal air pollution.
Furthermore, the newly issued guidelines stress the importance of safety, including wearing cotton clothes and having adults present when children are bursting firecrackers. The BMC advised keeping a bucket of water or sand nearby for safety and not igniting dry leaves or paper while lighting firecrackers.
These measures aim to ensure a safe and environmentally friendly Diwali celebration for all Mumbai residents.