The has issued a sweeping series of directives aimed at curbing noise and air pollution across the city, mandating stringent enforcement regarding firecracker sales, vehicular noise violations, and the unauthorized use of high-intensity lighting during festive periods. This follows a batch of where the court expressed dissatisfaction with current administrative oversight and directed police authorities to implement immediate, corrective measures to ensure compliance with .
The High Court bench, comprising Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Justice Raj D. Wakode, reviewed affidavits provided by local municipal and police authorities, confirming that illegal constructions contributing to , such as those at the LN Lawn, have been demolished. The court noted the successful removal of brick, cement, and tin-shed structures that rendered the site unusable for commercial activities. This action serves as a pivotal move in the court’s broader initiative to prioritize public interest and municipal order over unauthorized commercial expansions that violate and .
Beyond structural encroachments, the judiciary shifted its focus toward the regulation of firecracker sales during the festive season. Critiquing the existing licensing framework, the court emphasized that authorities must strictly adhere to the provisions of the , and the . The bench highlighted that the holds the specific power to impose supplementary conditions beyond those standardly prescribed. As noted by the court: “ states about competent to impose conditions in addition to prescribed conditions. It is further stated that a licence granted under the said Section may contain in addition to the prescribed condition such other condition as may be considered necessary by the in any particular case.”
In compliance with these observations, the court ordered the to incorporate mandatory clearance from the as a prerequisite for firecracker vendor licensing. Furthermore, the court reiterated the specific safety standards required under . The court underlined the necessity for spatial safety in festive markets, noting: “The sheds for possession and sale of fireworks shall be at a distance of at least three meters from each other and fifty meters from any protected work.” These directives are designed to mitigate risks in temporary marketplaces and ensure that high-intensity pollution generating devices, including series firecrackers, are effectively prohibited in public spaces.
The court further extended its regulatory reach to the persistent issue of vehicular noise pollution, specifically targeting vehicles fitted with unauthorized, modified silencers. The reported that a total of 372 seized modified silencers were destroyed using a road roller on , as part of an anti-noise pollution drive. While acknowledging this enforcement, the bench remained unconvinced that the police had sufficiently addressed the root of the problem: the manufacturing and supply chain of these devices.
In a sharp critique of the current investigative scope, the judges directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to initiate a comprehensive inquiry into the manufacturing entities responsible for producing illicit modified silencers. The court observed that the current approach focused too heavily on the end-user, whereas curbing the source of supply was essential to long-term enforcement. The Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to investigate manufacturers and suppliers, with the court indicating that licenses for individuals found violating noise pollution rules face potential suspension or cancellation.
Furthermore, the judiciary reinforced the ban on the use of laser lights, high-intensity lumen lights, and beams during processions and festivities. These measures are intended to prevent and potential accidents resulting from visual impairment or noise-related disturbances. The court has directed the Commissioner of Police to appoint designated officers to conduct regular patrols and take immediate action against any breach of these or .
The court also took note of the public reporting infrastructure, confirming that citizens can lodge complaints regarding noise and air pollution violations through a dedicated 24-hour facility managed by the . This mechanism is intended to facilitate real-time accountability and allow authorities to maintain a continuous, responsive presence in neighborhoods affected by excessive noise.
These directives are part of a broader, sustained effort by the judiciary to harmonize festive celebrations with public environmental health. The court’s orders, building upon established guidelines from the , mandate that police personnel remain vigilant during high-traffic events, including processions, to prevent the use of banned noise-generating devices. The bench reiterated that total bans on bursting firecrackers on public streets must be enforced without exception.
As the matter remains under judicial monitoring, the court has scheduled further updates for the coming days to review the progress of the police in executing these orders. The authorities are now tasked with ensuring that all firecracker wholesalers and retailers comply with the updated , and that any failure to adhere to the environmental standards set forth results in immediate legal consequences. The ongoing investigations into the silencer supply chain are expected to provide the next major benchmark for the efficacy of these judicial mandates in curbing urban pollution in Nagpur. The court’s insistence on both the physical demolition of encroachment and the bureaucratic overhaul of licensing reflects a comprehensive, albeit demanding, judicial stance aimed at restoring environmental equilibrium in a rapidly densifying urban environment.
noise pollution control - firecracker licensing compliance
