{
  "id": 14536908,
  "title": "Mumbai: Awaaz Foundation Finds Missing, Fake QR Codes On ‘Green Crackers’, Seeks Stricter Monitoring",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/mumbai-awaaz-foundation-finds-missing-fake-qr-codes-on-green-crackers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T20:16:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-awaaz-foundation-finds-missing-fake-qr-codes-on-green-crackers-seeks-stricter-monitoring"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai, 14 October 2026: The Awaaz Foundation has uncovered concerns over air and noise pollution as the city prepares for festive celebrations. Testing 17 different brands of firecrackers, the foundation found that all were labeled as 'green crackers', despite some not containing QR codes, and others having fake QR codes. The firecrackers were purchased from shops licensed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and police.\n\nIn a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the foundation has called for stricter monitoring of firecracker distribution points, sales, and usage. The letter emphasizes the ban on the use of firecrackers in public spaces until December 2027. As several festivals approach, such as Devi visarjan, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Christmas, and New Year, where firecrackers are often set off in public, the foundation urges the state government to enforce these restrictions stringently, right from the point of distribution, sale, and end use.\n\nSumaira Abdulali from the Awaaz Foundation stated, \"In the interest of citizens' health, especially during the winter months when weather conditions allow pollutants to settle and be easily inhaled, protecting people's health from air pollution should be a priority for the state government.\" The air quality index (AQI) in Mumbai had dropped from 'Good' to 'Moderate' at 101, with particulate matter (PM2.5) reaching 103 at Kherwadi on Wednesday morning.\n\nThe areas with the poorest AQI on Wednesday, according to CPCB data, included Deonar (162), Bandra East (143), Bhandup West (125), Worli (124), and BKC (123). For exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai and its surrounding regions, visit [BudgetProperties.in](https://budgetproperties.in/).",
  "summary": "Mumbai, October 14, 2026: Raising concerns over air and noise pollution ahead of the festive season, Awaaz Foundation tested 17 brands of firecrackers and found that all the crackers were labelled as ‘green crackers’. Some did not carry QR codes, while some QR codes were fake. The crackers were purchased from BMC- and police-licensed shops. Foundation Seeks Stricter Enforcement The foundation has…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}