No ban on firecrackers in Mumbai, Maharashtra this Diwali, says minister

Don’t want to restrict celebrations, will focus on creating awareness about the ill-effects of pollution, says state environment minister Ramdas Kadam

A day after the Supreme Court banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi, Maharashtra environment minister Ramdas Kadam on Tuesday said that a ban on firecrackers is not on the cards immediately in the state.

There will be no ban on firecrackers in Maharashtra, the state environment minister said on Tuesday. (HT File)

While the government will examine the possibility of banning firecrackers, the thrust will be more on building awareness on the harmful effects of firecrackers, the minister said, adding that he would discuss the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

“Our emphasis will be on creating awareness among youngsters and their parents highlighting the ill-effects of pollution. We don’t want to dilute the happiness of the festival of lights by banning firecrackers. There have already been too many restrictions on festivals. I will discuss this with our leaders before taking any decision,” Kadam told HT.

The Supreme Court has banned the sale of firecrackers during Diwali in Delhi owing to the alarming pollution levels during the festival. Environmental activists have been demanding a similar ban in other cities such as Mumbai too.