Explained: What is a silence zone, and why are firecrackers banned there?
The Bombay High Court has banned firecrackers on public roads, streets and footpaths in Mumbai, called it shocking that the city's pollution is surpassing Delhi's, and summoned the heads of the BMC, police and pollution board for October 26.
A silence zone is an area around hospitals, courts, schools and government offices where noise is restricted.
The Bombay High Court ordered a complete ban on firecrackers in such zones in Mumbai.
It also banned firecrackers on public roads, streets and footpaths.
The court called Mumbai’s pollution shocking and worse than Delhi’s.
Authorities must file affidavits by October 26.
A complete prohibition on firecrackers applies in designated silence zones, including areas around hospitals, government offices, courts and schools, according to Outlook India.
The Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Mumbai Police Commissioner must file an affidavit by October 26 on the measures taken to comply, according to the reports.
A standard operating procedure is to be formulated for taking action against violators, according to Outlook India.
The Police Commissioner must convene a meeting with senior officers from all police stations on the restrictions and their enforcement, according to the same report.
The Free Press Journal reports that the heads of the BMC, Mumbai Police and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board were summoned to appear on October 26 to explain their failure to curb pollution and enforce the restrictions.
The judges asked the authorities to show an iota of compliance or else file an affidavit stating that they are helpless, according to Free Press Journal.
The court warned that officials would be held accountable and that contempt proceedings would be started if the lapses continued, according to the same report.
The BMC and the pollution control board were directed to publish notices in newspapers and on social media by October 24 stating that bursting firecrackers on roads, streets, lanes and footpaths is prohibited and highlighting the harmful effects of firecracker smoke and noise.
The court cited its earlier orders of September 22 and October 15 and criticised the BMC and the pollution board for not running public awareness campaigns, according to the reports.
Bombay High Court building, Mumbai (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
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