10 November,2023 05:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Iqbal Chahal. File pic
Diwali 2023: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief Iqbal Chahal on Friday appealed to citizens in Mumbai to follow the Bombay High Court's directive and burst firecrackers only between 7 pm and 10 pm during Diwali, reported the PTI.
Earlier this week, the high court ordered to limit fireworks between 7 pm and 10 pm during the festival.
"I request that you all, with folded hands, follow the court's directive and do not burst the crackers that will add to the air and noise pollution," IS Chahal urged in a video message, according to the PTI.
Chahal further said that the citizens had responded positively to his appeals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this time too he hopes that they will follow the court's directive.
Air pollution has become an issue in the city due to dust from construction activities and other factors, he said, adding that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken various steps to improve the situation.
Though the chief minister has made it a people's movement, it will not succeed unless all citizens of Mumbai participate in it, the Mumbai civic chief said, the news agency reported.
The civic body has given developers one month to acquire sprinklers and fogging machines at construction sites and warned of strict action against violators.
The BMC has sent notices to several contractors and builders on the implementation of the 27-point guidelines, which it issued last month in light of the declining air quality in the city.
Meanwhile, while the Mumbai police implement the restricted timing for bursting firecrackers, special ward-level teams of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will also be deployed to ensure adherence to the order by the Bombay High Court (HC).
"While the police will ensure that bursting of firecrackers is restricted between 7 pm and 10 pm in Mumbai as ordered by the HC, a special team in each ward will also be vigilant during Diwali," said municipal commissioner I S Chahal.
Chahal was speaking to reporters at the BMC headquarters on Thursday. He said that in a meeting held by Chief Minister (CM) Ekanth Shinde on Thursday, police were given the responsibility to ensure that the HC-mandated period is followed. "Mumbai police will issue a standard operating procedure (SOP) and take action.
(with PTI inputs)
