Bombay High Court sets 7-10 pm deadline for firecrackers

The Bombay High Court on Monday said citizens will have to choose between a disease-free environment and bursting firecrackers during Diwali, while limiting fireworks between 7 pm and 10 pm for Mumbai residents during the festival of lights that begins later this week.

A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyay and Justice G S Kulkarni said it was not going to order a ban on bursting firecrackers, but there was a need to strike a balance in view of the deteriorating air quality index in the city.

"We have to make a choice. Either we have a disease-free environment, or we light firecrackers and celebrate the festival. It is for the citizens to decide now," the court said.

"We are not banning it. We are not experts in understanding whether firecrackers have an impact on the environment or not, and to what extent. We cannot directly say that firecrackers should not be burst. This is for the Government to consider. ''

The court said imposing the ban will not be easy as people have different opinions on the issue and the right to practice one's religion is enshrined in the Constitution.

"However, we can set a deadline for bursting firecrackers. The municipal authorities shall ensure that firecrackers are burst only between 7 pm and 10 pm during Diwali," the court ordered.