Sweep up the remains of fireworks or pay fine, says BMC
​By Sanjeev Shivadekar | Posted 28-Oct-2016

This Diwali, sweep up remains of fireworks and dump them in dustbins that are close at hand before you leave for home

Promenades likes Marine Drive, Carter Road and Juhu are popular spots for revellers with fireworks to gather. File Pic

The BMC is determined to instill civic sense in those who drive in to the city's popular sea faces and promenades with car loads of fire crackers to burst, leaving behind mounds of garbage.
This year, you will be expected to sweep up the remains and dump them in dustbins that are close at hand before you leave for home. Not doing so will allow clean-up marshalls to fine you between Rs 150 and Rs 300. The teams are expected to patrol popular stretches starting tonight.
Vijay Balamwar, deputy municipal commissioner (solid waste management), said, the civic body doesn’t intend to play party pooper and sour Mumbai’s Diwali, and so, it’s only unruly large groups that come with huge quantities of crackers who will be expected to pay up. “The aim is to discourage people from littering at public places. Citizens should celebrate festivals, but while doing so, they cannot forget their civic responsibility,” he said.
Those caught bursting crackers beyond the 10 pm deadline will be booked by the police, he added.
×The BMC’s decision has received a mixed response. While Marine Drive residents have welcomed the move, noise and environment activists termed the idea counter-productive.
Sumaira Abdulali, founder of NGO Awaaz, said, “People may get discouraged and end up bursting crackers within their residential complexes and compounds, making things worse and dangerous on the noise and air pollution front. I’d advise the BMC to encourage Mumbaikars to gather at large open spaces like MMRDA grounds, where crackers can be lit up safely.”
Quotes

Edric D'Costa,
33, resident of Marine Lines
It’s a good move. It'll ensure we are responsible for our actions. Most importantly, we can hope that children will watch and grow into adults with a civic responsibility. People should accept it and not target BMC workers who are doing their job. It would be a dream to see people have fun responsibly.

Seby Rodrigues,
34, resident of Chira Bazaar
Bursting crackers is part of our culture, but not at the cost of others. Every morning, we find the BMC workers do their clean-up job well. But their plight is pitiable after Ganesh visarjan and Diwali. The BMC staff deserve respect, and it’s time we cleaned up after ourselves.

• Tags:
• Marine Drive


• Carter Road


• Juhu


• popular spots


• fireworks


• garbage


• Diwali celebrations


• Mumbai news


• Diwali


• Indian festivals


• Mumbai Diwali

Police allow bursting of firecrackers till Sunday midnight, move upsets activistsTNN | Oct 28, 2016, 01.15 PM IST
(Representative image)
MUMBAI: The Mumbai police has given permission to burst crackers up to midnight on Sunday on the occasion of Laxmi pujan. The move has upset activists in the city.

Ashok Dudhe, Mumbai police PRO, said Mumbaikars will be allowed to burst firecrackers up to 12 am. Anti-noise crusaders said this was against noise rules.

"According to noise rules, the extension is allowed up to midnight only for loudspeakers. If the police is giving permission for firecrackers, it isn't by the rules. We will write to them and the government as well," said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation.She will be measuring decibel levels in the city on Sunday. Last year, Trombay, with an average decibel count of 90 on Diwali day, was the noisiest in the city. The peak noise recorded across the city was lower compared to 2014.
Top CommentI have respect for everyone''s sentiments and wish to offend none. Bursting fire crackers in crowded cities in India, has a number of ill-effects for the residents, especially old people and those s... Read MoreVincent Dsouza

According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, residential and silence zones should have a maximum noise level of 55dB and 50dB in the day and 45dB and 40dB at the night, respectively.

Meanwhile, activists urged citizens to come out and complaint against noise violations.

Firecrackers test within noise limitsClara Lewis| TNN | Updated: Oct 18, 2016, 22:51 ISTRepresentative image
MUMBAI: For the first time ever, firecrackers were well within the permissible noiselimit of 125 dB. A few years ago all fire-crackers would be beyond the noise limit. Last year, four varieties of crackers were beyond the noise limit.
"The noise levels have been falling over the last three to four years but this year all of them were within the noise limit," said Sumaira Abdulali, convenor Awaaz Foundation. Abdulali has been testing fire-crackers for noise levels since 2004. Since 2006 the NGO has been carrying out joint tests with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The tests reports are then sent to the police and the Explosives department to act on those violating the noise norms.


On Tuesday, MPCB along with Awaaz Foundation tested around 26 varities of fire- crackers at the Rashtriya Chemical Fertilisers ground, Chembur. The tests were carried out days before these arrive in the market for the festive season. "The Rassi bomb which is the noisiest cracker recorded a noise level of 99.9dB. In the past it would cross the 125 dB limit and has even reached 140 dB," said Abdulali. MPCB is yet to calculate the noise levels of serial crackers, she said. Abdulali, however, pointed out that while noise levels have dropped, air pollution caused by fire-crackers has visibly gone up. "We saw it at the ground today when testing the fire-crackers. Last year we had tested the crackers to understand what chemicals are used. We found harmful chemicals like Cadmium being used for the light effect. The MPCB is yet to release its report for last year," she said.

With the city already reeling under the ill-effects of air pollution from vehicles, dust, improper disposal of waste etc activists are worried that the fire-crackers will only add to the problem. "It will be in the city's interest if residents do not use fire-crackers at all this Diwali," she said. Meanwhile the state government has warned it will take action against those violating noise rules during the festive season. It has said noise rules cannot be relaxed in silence zones where the noise limit is 50 dB during the day and 40 dB at night.

No firecrackers banned in Maharashtra, noise levels below safe limits: MPCBOfficials said individual noise levels from serial and single crackers was calculated by their scientific officers and decibel (dB) levels were found to be below permissible limit MUMBAI Updated: Oct 29, 2016 12:21 IST
Badri Chatterjee 
Hindustan Times
MPCB officials and members from Awaz Foundation test firecrackers at Jawahar ground in Chembur October 18.The state pollution control board has approved the use of all 26 types of firecrackers that were tested for noise levels on October 18 in Mumbai. However, the result for a chemical analysis test of the firecrackers is yet to be issued b the board.
Officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) told HT on Thursday that individual noise levels from serial (1000 series) as well as single crackers, was calculated by their scientific officers and the decibel (dB) levels were found to be below the permissible limit of 125 dB .
“Apart from testing crackers in Mumbai, we have received reports of similar firecracker testing done across the state over the past week. Noise from none of the crackers surpassed safe limit under noise rules,” said VM Motghare, joint director, MPCB. “We submitted our findings to the Controller of Explosives, Nagpur with a conclusion that none of the crackers should be banned this year.”
On October 18, the annual testing by MPCB and anti-noise campaigner Awaaz Foundation, found the noise levels from serial crackers (1000 series) to be at a maximum of 116 – 118 dB (1000 series at 116.2dB). The testing was done in an open ground in Rashtriya Chemical and Fertiliser (RCF) colony, Chembur, 12 days before Diwali.
While permissible limits for single crackers is 125 decibels (dB), a series of crackers (ladi) have limits between 90 decibel (dB) and 110dB, depending on the number of crackers put together. “For serial crackers, noise from each individual cracker from the series was tested and a logarithmic analysis showed that individual crackers were below 110 dB limit,” said Motghare. 
Meanwhile, the results for the chemical analysis of the crackers are yet to be received from the pollution board’s laboratory. “While some of the crackers showed release of thick smoke and could have traces of lead and zinc, it is yet to be confirmed from our lab,” said Motghare.
Anti-noise activists said that there was a drop in noise levels due to enforcement as well as awareness. “During 2012, firecracker testing by different groups clearly showed a 100% violation for all firecrackers. While awareness has resulted in a lesser use of firecrackers, over the years, the firecracker testing done by our NGO, the pollution board and several complaints to the Controller of Explosives and the police that led to better enforcement and the manufacture of less noisy crackers,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation. 
What to do if noise levels are breached around you this Diwali?
#Measure noise levels using free downloadable App on iPhone or android phone.
#Take a photograph of the measurement for your records.
#Complain to Police Control Room by dialing 100 and get a complaint number.
· In case of continued violation, message the police on Twitter (@MumbaiPolice) or lodge a complaint on their website (https://mumbaipolice.maharashtra.gov.in/complaint.asp).
#Send a copy to Awaaz Foundation’s email address: sumairaabdulali@yahoo.com, or Facebook page ‘Get Well Soon Mumbai’.
#Follow up on your complaints by filing additional complaints as needed. Get a complaint number every time.
#Write to assistant commissioner of police, deputy commissioner of police and commissioner, Mumbai with copy to Awaaz Foundation. The letter or email should contain the date, time, silence, residential or other zone, name of concerned police station, source of noise (type of cracker used), complaint number and status of action taken.
In a first, pollution board to check noise levels this Diwali
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) said that they will for the first time record noise readings at 158 locations across 26 municipal corporations across Maharashtra along with calculating air quality levels.
“We recorded ambient noise at all 158 locations on October 24 to adjudge the noise levels during a non-Diwali day and have background readings. On October 30, the same test will be conducted along with air quality analysis throughout the state. The readings will be compared to national ambient air quality standards and put up on our website,” said VM Motghare, joint director, MPCB.

Oct 15, 2016 at 13:02


Ahead Of Diwali, Delhi Govt Goes For The Complete Ban On Chinese Firecrackersby Sreeraj TK
In a bid to reduce the noise levels during this Diwali season, the government of Delhi has asked for a complete ban on Chinese-made imported firecrackers. 
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has written letters to the police commissioner and issuing directions under Section 31(A) of Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, for prohibiting the import and sale of harmful crackers in Delhi.

A representational image | Source: Reuters“No one should import firecrackers from any country and the customs shall ensure that consignments which violate prescribed norm are not allowed to enter Delhi,” reads the order. 
A 1992 notification by the government of India banned firecrackers that contained ‘sulphur’ and ‘sulphurate’ in mixture with chlorate. These firecrackers are generally known as Chinese firecrackers. Despite there being a ban, authorities have failed to keep a tab on illegal imports over the years,reports Indian Express.

A representational image | Source: PTIChinese firecrackers also have serious economic implications as they pose threat India's domestic industry at Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. Indian manufacturers have to pay several taxes which ultimately increases the prices of Indian crackers.
On the other hand, Chinese crackers which are imported illegally are way cheaper than their Indian counterparts. They thus capture the Indian markets, bringing a huge loss to the domestic industry, reports The Hindu.  
However, environmental experts feel that a lot more needs to be done.
"Imported firecrackers which are manufactured in China are extremely harmful because it is difficult to know whether they come under the prescribed noise limits. Indian-made firecrackers are relatively safer because one can say that they are checked at the time of manufacturing", Sumaira Abdulali from Awaaz Foundation told ScoopWhoop News.

A representational image | Source: AFPHowever, she cautioned that Indian firecrackers aren't completely safe either. "Even Indian firecrackers often flout the permissible limits. Plus, it cannot be confirmed that Indian manufacturers are following the prescribed norms."  
"The move is a step in the right direction but won't be effective at all. In a place like Delhi, where air pollution levels are also alarming, the government should altogether ban the use of firecrackers," she said. 
 (With inputs from PTI)
(Feature image source: Reuters)

Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park flouts noise regulations
​Anti-noise activists Awaaz Foundation and Shivaji Park-based Wecom trust took noise readings from 6pm onwards until 9pm and found sound levels breaching rules — from political speeches, loudspeakers playing music, drums and others within the Shivaji Park ground.
MUMBAI Updated: Oct 12, 2016 00:26 IST
Badri Chatterjee 
Hindustan Times
The crowd at the rally at Shivaji Park, Dadar.(KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Noise levels at the Shiv Sena’s Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park, Dadar, on Tuesday were much above permissible limit for a Silence Zone. The noise blared at 98.9 decibels (dB), which is almost as loud as a discotheque.
According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, the sound levels within a Silence Zone cannot exceed 50dB.
Last year, senior Shiv Sena leader and state environment minister Ramdas Kadam’s speech was the loudest at 97.4dB.
Anti-noise activists Awaaz Foundation and Shivaji Park-based Wecom trust took noise readings from 6pm onwards until 9pm and found sound levels breaching rules — from political speeches, loudspeakers playing music, drums and others within the Shivaji Park ground.
“The rally was much louder than the ones in previous years and there has been no attempt to maintain noise rules this time. The norms were flouted despite police presence. Any officer I spoke to did not seem to carry a decibel meter,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation.
While the maximum sound levels from speeches from the announcer was recorded at 94.7dB, the reading during Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s speech was 85.4dB. Subhash Desai’s peaked at 97.6dB.
On May 5, 2010, the Bombay High Court (HC) had declared Shivaji Park a Silence Zone while hearing a petition filed by Wecom, a residents’ trust. It had said that any violation of the rule will invite stringent action from the state.
The NGOs alleged that Shiv Sena had not taken permission from the HC for use of loudspeakers this year.
The Supreme Court’s guidelines on noise pollution prohibit the use of loudspeakers at places located within 100m of a hospital, school, court, or a religious place, known as a ‘Silence Zone’.
While a Shiv Sena spokesperson said that the party had received permission from the Mumbai police, Paramjit Singh Dahiya, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 5, confirmed that the Shivaji Park police station had given permission for the use loudspeakers on Tuesday. However, he did not comment on the court orders.
“The police have committed contempt of court by allowing the breach of noise rules,” said Ashok Ravat, member, Wecom Trust, adding that the petitioners were not notified about any permission for the use of loudspeakers.
He cited a comprehensive Bombay High Court order that not only bans the use of loudspeakers at Silence Zones but even drums, horns, trumpets and music through amplifiers. 
“We will be taking the matter to the Bombay HC as our case is up of hearing on Thursday,” said Ravat.
Meanwhile, noise levels from various Dusshera processions too, breached norms on Tuesday. Awaaz Foundation recorded noise from one procession at Shivaji Park, Dadar at 105 dB, abother at Mahim was 98 dB.

Copyright © HT Media Limited All rights reserved.

Indiatimes|The Times of India|The Economic Times
Sign In
‘Sound pollution was high in Sena’s Dussehra rally’TNN | Updated: Oct 12, 2016, 03.48 AM IST
Mumbai: Anti-noise pollution activist Sumaira AbdulAli, on Tuesday said she recorded high decible level of noise at the Shiv Sena's Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park. She also claimed that police allowed use of loudspeakers without court's permission.

"I have recorded the sound level at 98.9 decible (dB). Shivaji Park is a silent zone and for the last five years the organisers used to take permission from court and police before using loudspeakers. However, this time court has not granted any permission but the police allowed the use of loudspeakers, in direct contempt of the court," said AbdulAli.

She said, "When I spoke to some police personnel here, they said they have no instructions to record the noise level. So, I will write a letter to the police commissioner tomorrow and submit the recorded noise level to the court."

Court has also put conditions to check the noise level of loudspeakers. As per high court order, no loudspeaker can be used in a silent zone and the general noise level cannot exceed 50 dB. "The use of loudspeaker in a silent zone is against the court's order. There have been five FIRs in the past against those who flout the rule. The cases are still pending," she said.

When asked whether permission for use of loudspeaker was granted by the police, zonal DCP Paramjeet Singh Dahiya said, "I don't want to comment on this matter. Sumaira has sent me detailed message about the recorded noise level."

4 COMMENTS
SORT BY:Up VotedNewestOldestDiscussedDown Voted
Deepakbhopal-263 days agoits a very sensitive matter. sooner or later we have to address it at a stronger, relevant platform so that it become part of public conscience and people across religion come in single voice against noise pollution.
0 0 ReplyFlag
Susheel chadha
10382
266 days agoThis happens once a year What about the daily cacophony from masjids at all odd hours ? Or is it because it was a dussera rally --and dussera is a hundu function so has to be targetedb
0 0 ReplyFlag
Ra Kh
5047
266 days agoThey are the lawmakers. So they have the right to break the law at any point of time. They can bring amendments in the law as per their requirements.
0 0 ReplyFlag
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Follow / Like us at @timesofindiaCopyright © 2016 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights:Times Syndication Service

Mumbai: Inspection finds cracker samples not exceeding permissible noise limitOn Tuesday, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Awaaz Foundation, a non-government orgnaisation, conducted their annual pre-Diwali exercise at Chembur’s Royal Chemical Fertiliser (RCF) Colony.
Written by Rohit Alok | Mumbai | Published:October 19, 2016 2:10 am

As many as 26 types of firecrackers were tested in an open ground, and noise levels recorded five metres from the point. (Photo for representational purpose)


An annual pre-Diwali inspection on firecrackers in the city found that none of the samples in the ‘single firecracker’ category exceeded permissible noise levels upon going off. This is the first time in almost a decade that no violation has been found in noise pollution rules during an inspection on firecrackers.
On Tuesday, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Awaaz Foundation, a non-government orgnaisation, conducted their annual pre-Diwali exercise at Chembur’s Royal Chemical Fertiliser (RCF) Colony.
As many as 26 types of firecrackers were tested in an open ground, and noise levels recorded five metres from the point.
“After 10 years of conducting these tests, we have found that no noise violation was breached in the single firecracker category. We were specifically targeting the rassi bombs and the highest noise level recorded was at 99 decibels,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation. The permissible limits for serial firecrackers range between 90 dB and 110 dB, an official said.
“Ever year, the levels have exceeded 125 decibel limit, but there has been a drastic change in this year’s tests,” Abdulali added.
Officials attributed the dip in noise levels to awareness and enforcement. “Through awareness of the hazards of these firecrackers, there is a change in the buyers’ demands moving from higher decible firecrackers to light-based crackers. Several shopkeepers have even told us. The police have confiscated several rassi bombs over the years,” Abdulali added.
The results of the serial firecrackers are expected on Wednesday.

MONEY LIFE

CITIZENS' ISSUES
Public Interest
Noise pollution and road or train rage in Mumbai
Sumaira Abdulali
13 September 2016 4  
Mumbai has the reputation of a friendly and inclusive city, where most people go out of their way to help others. Why are we especially and uncontrollably angry during our commute? While there may be many factors including long daily commutes and over-crowding, a high level of noise pollution, which directly affects mental health, is a major contributing factor.
 
“Noise pollution adversely affects mental health, creating feelings of frustration, irritation and even rage. Adrenalin levels increase with noise exposure and short sudden blasts of noise (like those from horns) create spikes in adrenalin levels in the bloodstream. Continuous exposure too alters the biochemistry of the brain and gives rise to stress responses,” Says consultant psychiatrist, Dr Amit Desai.
 
Road rage and train rage are on the rise and commonly experienced in the daily life of Mumbaikars. Normally sedate persons fight uncontrollably and violently on the road over minor traffic infractions. Women scratching and hitting each other in trains are part of daily commutes and traffic policemen have even been assaulted in the course of their duty and even died. A loud or continuous horn is commonly used as an expression of anger and sometimes precedes a major fight, which can bring other traffic to a standstill.
 
Honorary traffic wardens and traffic policemen are exposed to high noise levels continuously as the major traffic junctions where they regulate traffic are also among the noisiest. Recently, during peak traffic hour, I observed a vehicle with blue rooftop lights (indicating a politician) jump a traffic signal by loudly blowing his horn to clear the path. The traffic policeman standing next to me expressed his immediate angry but helpless response. He told me how provoking anger and fear through belligerent use of the horn was a large part of bullying to break traffic rules. “If we try to stop them, they become abusive,” he said.
 
Anita Lobo, an honorary traffic warden who has regulated traffic in Bandra for over 15 years has experienced the use of the horn as a means to intimidate and threaten. She has stood up to political pressure and continues to regulate traffic at some of the busiest and noisiest traffic junctions like the junction of the Holy Family Hospital at Hill Road in Bandra. “Horns are often used to express aggression,” she says. “It is a short step from the prolonged use of a horn to an all-out fight on the road.”
 
Recently, while conducting an awareness program at two traffic junctions under flyovers, I experienced the uncontrollable distress, which accompanied the loud sounds of near- continuous honking. Directly below the flyover (where the police chowky is placed) the sound was amplified by echo off the concrete on all sides and was even more unbearable. At the JJ Flyover, where the noise levels reached 105dB, I was desperate to leave within 10 minutes. The area under Vakola Flyover was not much better, at 102 dB. While holding placards, it was difficult to speak to drivers to request them not to honk. Traffic Policemen stand at these junctions for over 8 hours every day.
 
 
Still think Indians are ‘used’ to noise pollution? Here are some shocking facts which point to the effects of noise pollution according to WHO:



1. 27% of the overall population of India suffers disabling hearing loss as against 11% in High Income countries and 3% in North African countries.
2. 12.3 million children and 18.8 million adults of the region including India, Pakistan, Nepal , Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bhutan suffer disabling hearing loss.
3. Nearly 48% of Indians over 65 years suffer debilitating hearing loss as compared to only 18% in high income countries.



 (Environmental activist Sumaira Abdulali is convener of the Awaaz Foundation, which is works against noise pollution.)