The Bombay HC has imposed stringent restrictions on the use of firecrackers, high-intensity lighting and loud sound systems during festive celebrations and processions across Maharashtra, citing concerns over air and noise pollution and the impact of excessive noise on ordinary citizens. The directions came during the hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation concerning pollution associated with festivals and public processions.
A division bench comprising Justices Girish S. Kulkarni and Neela K. Gokhale examined the manner in which existing pollution-control rules were being enforced during festivals. The court expressed concern that legal provisions designed to regulate noise pollution were frequently treated as if they existed only on paper, while residents continued to face prolonged exposure to high-decibel music, firecrackers and other sources of disturbance.
The order came amid the Ganesh festival period, when large processions and public celebrations across Maharashtra traditionally attract thousands of participants. While the court made it clear that there was no objection to festivals and processions being conducted, it stressed that celebrations must take place in a manner that respects the rights and well-being of other citizens. The Bombay HC particularly focused on densely populated urban centres such as Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Nashik, where the consequences of excessive noise and air pollution can affect large numbers of people.
Among the most significant directions was a complete prohibition on bursting firecrackers on public streets and roads during festivities. The court also prohibited the use of laser lights, high-intensity lumen lights and beams during public celebrations and processions. The restrictions are intended to address both pollution and safety concerns arising from the use of such equipment in crowded areas.
The Bombay HC also placed greater responsibility on organisers of processions and festive events. Authorities have been directed to measure sound levels during celebrations and take action whenever prescribed limits are breached. Sound-producing equipment can be seized in cases of violations, giving enforcement agencies a more direct mechanism to deal with excessive noise rather than waiting for repeated complaints from residents.
The court further directed organisers seeking permission to use noise-generating equipment to provide security deposits. Individuals would be required to deposit at least ₹50,000, while groups or organisations would be required to deposit at least ₹1 lakh. The amount could be forfeited if the organisers violated the applicable rules. The Bombay HC also directed organisers to furnish undertakings confirming that their sound systems would have internal sound compressors.
Another important requirement concerns decibel monitoring. Organisers of permitted events and processions have been directed to install decibel measurement meters and maintain records of sound levels. The court expects authorities to monitor compliance proactively rather than waiting until residents lodge complaints after excessive noise has already occurred. This approach reflects the Bombay HC’s concern that delayed enforcement can leave citizens exposed to pollution after the damage has already been done.
The court’s intervention has also revived the broader debate over how traditional celebrations can coexist with environmental regulations and the rights of residents. Maharashtra has extensive urban populations, and festival processions frequently pass through residential neighbourhoods, commercial areas and major roads. For many residents, the issue is not the existence of celebrations themselves but the scale, duration and intensity of amplified sound and other activities associated with them.
The Bombay HC observed that festive celebrations cannot be treated as an automatic exemption from statutory noise-control requirements. Authorities, according to the court, must ensure that existing laws are actually implemented rather than merely remaining on official records. The court also stressed the collective responsibility of citizens and organisers in preventing avoidable pollution.
The latest directions therefore place the focus firmly on enforcement. Police and civic authorities will have to monitor public festivities, measure sound levels and intervene when rules are breached. The Bombay HC’s order could consequently have a significant effect on the way major public celebrations and processions are organised across Maharashtra, particularly in densely populated cities.
The controversy is ultimately about finding a workable balance between public celebration and the rights of people who live along procession routes. With the court insisting on preventive action, organisers will face greater responsibilities in planning future events, while authorities will be expected to enforce pollution-control rules consistently rather than acting only after violations are reported.
