Diwali 2026: Shivaji Park to display banners warning against bursting firecrackers in silence zone

The BMCs G North Ward will put up banners at Shivaji Park ahead of Diwali warning visitors that the area is a designated silence zone where bursting firecrackers is prohibited The move follows a Bombay HC directive a civic official told middayldquoThis is big This is the first time something like this is happening Earlier there was just one old board near the Parks gate 7 and even that made no mention of firecrackersrdquo said Vaibhav Rege secretary of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park ALMA Maharashtra Pollution Control Board MPCB spokesperson said the Bombay High Court had restricted the bursting of regular firecrackers in public places including roads footpaths and open spacesldquoNo sort of firecracker or noise pollution is allowed in silence zones Police will have to enforce this directiverdquo the spokesperson said emphasising the additional restrictions applicable to silence zones The G North Ward official confirmed that Shivaji Park is a designated silence zoneResidents seek stricter enforcementResidents have repeatedly complained about the air and noise pollution caused by largescale firecracker bursting at Shivaji Park during DiwaliAs a precaution they submitted a petition to the Shivaji Park police station on Tuesday seeking strict action against violations of Bombay High Court guidelinesThe petition called for authorities to ldquotake stringent action against those who breach the guidelines for bursting Firecrackers mandated by the Honourable Bombay High Court orders in Shivaji ParkrdquoResidents alleged that police enforcement had been inadequate due to staff shortages and political pressure Asked about the police plan for the festival an official from Shivaji Park police station said ldquoWe are working on itrdquoMNS calls off Deepotsav fireworksA day after the residents submitted their petition the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena MNS announced that it would not organise its Deepotsav celebrations at Shivaji Park this year citing droughtlike conditions across MaharashtraParty chief Raj Thackeray said the annual event usually draws visitors from Mumbai Thane and other parts of the state for illuminations and fireworks Explaining the decision he said ldquoHowever we have decided not to celebrate Deepotsav this year The sole reason is the terrible drought that has struck exists and looms over Maharashtra In light of this severe drought my heart simply could not accept celebrating a festival of this kindrdquoResidents who have complained of worsening air and noise pollution around Diwali for years hope the cancellation of the event and the HC directive will bring some relief this year However they fear visitors may continue to gather and burst crackers independentlyResident voicesRenuka Pinto residentldquoMy children and I have respiratory conditions Yearround construction pollution troubles us and during Diwali air quality dips so much that we have to leave the city every year The announcement that it has been called off this year offers some reliefrdquoVaibhav Rege 49 secretary Shivaji Park ALMldquoOver the last few years the MNS has organised a special Diwali event with firecrackers and illuminations Firecrackers continue for up to seven days starting from Dhanteras leading to extremely poor AQI The cancellation is temporary relief Letrsquos hope they discontinue it next year as wellrdquoNishant Gala 48 residentldquoPeople come from outside to attend and burst firecrackers here The scale has increased with the event I am relieved that the MNS has cancelled the event this year but this may not be permanentrdquoMadhukar Prabhu 75 Shivaji Park residentldquoWe senior citizens find it difficult even to open our windows Children and pets suffer from the heavy noise even inside homes Many residents have also witnessed hospitalisationsrdquo