Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been running a drive to curb the sale and purchase of illegal non-green firecrackers in the city since October 25. On Wednesday BMC seized a total of 166.25 illegal firecrackers.
Since the drive started on October 25, as much as 229.5 kg of illegal firecrackers have been seized by the body. The crackdown is being carried out in Mumbai by the licensing department of BMC. According to the data provided by the civic body, over the past week, it seized 43 kg from K/West (Andheri, Juhu, Versova) wards, 22 kg from G/South (Worli, Lower Parel, Prabhadevi) areas and 18 kg from L (Kurla) ward.
License and NOC necessary for selling firecrackers
No illegal firecrackers were discovered from M/East (Govandi, Mankhurd), N (Ghatkopar), P/North (Malad), G/North (Dadar, Mahim), Kalbadevi and A (Fort, Nariman Point, Marine Drive) wards. As per a report by Indian Express, “It is mandatory to take a specific license for selling fire crackers along with an NOC from the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) as per the guidelines from the municipal corporation,” a civic official said. The officials also informed that the drive would continue throughout the festive season.
This Diwali, let safety be our first spark! ✨
Let’s follow the essential instructions issued by the Brihnmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Mumbai Fire Brigade to double the joy of the Diwali
Celebrate a Clean and safe Diwali together!🪔#MyBMCUpdates #DiwaliSafety… pic.twitter.com/7j64nlrwZ3
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) October 30, 2024
Guidelines issued by BMC
According to the guidelines issued by BMC, bursting of firecrackers is not allowed after 10 pm. Also the crackers must be burst in open areas and not in streets and crowded places. The body has also appealed the people to burn as less firecrackers as possible and help in curbing air and noise pollution. It also recommended using soundless firecrackers.