MUMBAI: This Diwali, the BMC has banned firecrackers at all private spaces and public areas such as Marine Drive, beaches, grounds and hotels within city limits so as to not inconvenience Covid-19 patients. On November 14, the day of Laxmi Puja, though, Mumbaikars will be allowed to light mild crackers such as anars and sparklers in housing societies and courtyards around their homes.
The ban on crackers has come into force with immediate effect and will remain in place till November 30. The BMC has empowered its assistant civic commissioners of all 24 wards to take action against violators.
In a circular issued on Monday, the BMC said Covid impacts the lungs, and patients and even survivors have to deal with respiratory issues. So to prevent smoke from crackers inconveniencing patients, none of any kind can be burst. No firework shows or related events are also to be held at hotels, gymkhanas, clubs, institutions and business premises, states the circular.
Will comply, but BMC’s order should have come in earlier: Cracker traders
The civic ban on firecrackers has come into force with immediate effect.
Violation of the ban can invite up to one or two years’ jail term under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and onemonth imprisonment under the Epidemics Act, 1897.
The BMC has also cautioned citizens to follow all anti-Covid-19 measures such as the use of masks, social distancing and preferably washing hands with soap and water rather than flammable sanitisers, especially while lighting lamps and crackers.
It has advised citizens to keep a bucket of water and soap near the doors to their flats to ensure visitors enter only after washing their hands, feet and face.
Minesh Mehta, Mumbai-Thane Fireworks Dealers Welfare Association, said while the order had come close to the festival, they will cooperate with the authorities.
“We live in the same city and Covid-19 impacts us as well, so we also want what is best for Mumbaikars. We will take off noise-emitting aerial crackers from the shelves because citizens aren’t going to be able to burst them. That would mean our inventory would increase and so would our costs. The authorities should have foreseen this and issued orders earlier,” he said. Mehta further said most association members have only a 20% stock of noise-emitting crackers and most of the demand nowadays is for smaller crackers, mostly burst by children.
Dealers added the pandemic had already hit their business. “Through all the festivals this year, business has been slower than the previous years. Sales are only about 25% of the normal and we had already written this year off. However, this could further impact our earnings,” said Rajendra Ghone of Kurla’s Mumbai Fireworks.
Mumbai's air quality in November last year was in the moderate category.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board will issue guidelines for the use of crackers soon.