First Thane, now Mumbai bans rocket firecrackers till Nov 25 after 142 Diwali fires

Mumbai has banned the use of aerial firecrackers, including rockets, until November 25 to prevent fires during Diwali celebrations, following a surge in incidents caused by fireworks. The ban, issued by the Mumbai Fire Brigade and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, comes after 142 fire calls on Sunday, 137 of which were triggered by firecrackers, accounting for 96% of reported fires in the city.

This is a significant step, as Thane district in Maharashtra recently became the first in the state to ban rocket and similar flying firecrackers until January 8, 2027, applying to all six municipal corporations in the district. The ban, issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, aims to address safety concerns due to the dense population in high-rise buildings and slum areas.

The order covers all public and private premises within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including residential areas, building terraces, courtyards, balconies, and slums.