Noise Pollution: Maharashtra Govt For a Noiseless Diwali

In order to deal with noise pollution, this year, the government of Maharashtra has called for an eco-friendly Diwali celebration. The pollution board is looking at banning firecrackers producing noise more than 65 decibels. While this is a good initiative, the implementation has not been fast enough as firecrackers based on older regulations have already reached the market.

Noise Pollution: Laws for a Noiseless Diwali

The limit of 65 decibels is too low to accomodate any type of firecracker. The good news is that the authorities are at least conscious of the need to take measures to curb noise pollution. In 2005, the Supreme Court not only banned the manufacturing of firecrackers that produce sounds of 125 decibels or more, but also prohibited the use of sound-producing crackers and loudspeakers after 10 pm.

The environment department of the state government has already issued a notice prohibiting the bursting of crackers on roads. While authorities struggle to implement noise pollution laws, there is already a lot of opposition coming from those selling firecrackers. Abdulla Ghia, who sells crackers at his big shop on Mohammed Ali Road, questions the huge expenditure on firecrackers for the commonwealth Games if the government wants to ban their use.
 
Apart from noise pollution, the norms around stating the date of manufacturing and chemical components used in manufacturing are also violated. While some companies don't print it at all, others print the only the ‘best before’ date. Instead of the material used to produce, most of the manufacturers try to get away with prescription of a warning stating that holding crackers in hands or giving them possession of children can be hazardous.