Diwali celebrations in Mumbai this year experienced a notable improvement in air quality compared to last year.
Firecracker sales had dropped to around 70% by the end of Ganeshotsav, but business picked up through Navratri and Diwali after an initially slow start, according to association’s honorary general secretary Minesh N Mehta. “The number of cracker stalls has reduced and even in my 240-flat housing society, noise was nearly half of previous years.
But one needs to check if firecrackers are burst late Sunday night,” said anti-noise pollution activist Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation. Sales have been broadly normal, though trends vary from area to area,” Mehta said. A Vile Parle dealer said sales were lower than last year as many customers deliberately reduced purchases owing to environmental concerns. RTI activist Anil Galgali said noise levels were lower, crediting awareness drives and court orders, though political events in some areas may have caused localised spikes. Andheri resident Karan Jotwani said both cracker sales and bursting had visibly declined in the Lokhandwala area. I was especially worried as I have a pet at home now,” he said. Shiv Sena corporator Amey Ghole said greater public awareness had encouraged many people to either avoid crackers or opt for green fireworks. We are all for celebrations that are environmentally friendly,” Ghole said. BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha said most citizens followed the HC directive by bursting crackers within housing complexes and grounds rather than on public roads.
Environmental activists caution noise pollution too remains well above permissible limits in many residential areas and stricter enforcement is needed. “So far, the overall noise levels are lower than previous years. However, traders on the ground painted a more nuanced picture. A Malad shop owner noted that children themselves were urging parents to buy fewer crackers and opt for green varieties such as sparklers and ground spinners. Bombay High Court had also recently ruled that celebrities should voluntarily help spread awareness against firecracker pollution without charging any public money TOI spoke to residents, activists and political leaders attributing the change to greater environmental awareness and compliance with court directions. I also think people are becoming more conscious. “So, there was more focus on the traditional and environmentally friendly options this Diwali. The celebrations were more cultural and less loud which is a welcome move. Former Congress corporator Sheetal Mhatre also observed a decline in cracker noise, adding that rising living costs and higher cracker prices may have prompted many households to cut back on purchases this year.
“Most crackers available today are green crackers and consumers have accepted them over the last five years.
