Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has appealed to citizens to celebrate an eco-friendly, pollution-free Diwali, avoid firecrackers and follow restrictions limiting their use to between 7pm and 10pm. Under a Govt of India notification dated Oct 5, 1999, manufacturing, selling or using firecrackers producing noise above 125 decibels is illegal.Supreme Court has also banned firecrackers containing barium salt, lithium, arsenic, lead and mercury, which emit toxic gases harmful to animals and plants. NMMC revealed that the average air quality index, usually 91, rises to 212 during Diwali because of toxic emissions from firecrackers, contributing to respiratory problems.Under directions issued in Public Interest Litigation No. 152/2015, sellers must comply with restrictions under the Explosives Act 1884 and Explosives Rules 2008. Banned firecrackers cannot be sold, while permitted firecrackers may be sold only with permission at locations designated by the corporation.An order issued by National Green Tribunal’s Principal Bench in New Delhi on Nov 3, 2023 and Bombay High Court’s directions in suo motu Public Interest Litigation No. 3/2023 allow firecrackers to be burst only from 7pm to 10pm.Educational institutions have been asked to ensure strict implementation and educate students about the environmental harm caused by firecrackers.Police must enforce the restrictions vigilantly, while the corporation’s divisional assistant commissioners must monitor compliance. Details of measures, implementation and penalties are available at www.nmmc.gov.in .Navi Mumbai mayor Sujata Patil and municipal commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde urged residents to light earthen lamps, use paper or cloth sky lanterns and bags, avoid plastic and firecrackers, refrain from placing electric lights on trees, and use waste and recyclable materials during celebrations. The appeal was issued under Maharashtra govt’s Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan, Swachh Survekshan 2026 and Swachh Vayu Survekshan campaigns.
