Mumbai bans rockets and aerial fireworks till Nov 25 after 137 cracker fires

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has banned rockets and similar aerial firecrackers across Mumbai until 11:59 pm on 25 November, a day after the city's fire brigade got 142 fire calls on Diwali night, 137 of them linked to firecrackers. The order, issued on Monday (9 November), came into effect immediately. It applies to public and private spaces alike, including residential buildings, terraces, rooftops, balconies, courtyards, parking lots and slum settlements. Other firecrackers are still allowed under existing laws and court orders.

The order was issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, by Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajakta Lavangare-Verma, in her capacity as chairperson (in-charge) of the Urban Disaster Management Authority, Brihanmumbai. Zonal deputy commissioners of police, the BMC's divisional assistant commissioners and the fire brigade have been told to enforce it. The Indian Express reported that violators can face up to six months in jail, or a fine, or both, under Section 51 of the Act.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade received 142 fire calls on Sunday (8 November), when Diwali was celebrated, and attributed 137 of them to firecrackers, according to BMC data. Two women were injured, the brigade said. Among the larger fires were blazes at a chawl in Dongri and in Vidyavihar, TOI reported. The Indian Express said most calls came from the Malad–Goregaon–Kandivali–Dahisar belt, with 53 cases. The causes of individual fires are still being ascertained.

The 137 firecracker-linked calls were higher than the number recorded during the entire four-day Diwali period in each of the previous two years, Scroll reported. Mumbai logged 262 fire incidents in 2024, of which 80 were attributed to firecrackers, and 289 in 2025, of which 113 were attributed to firecrackers.

The order says burning remnants of rockets and other aerial firecrackers can fall on rooftops, balconies, windows and other combustible material, and that Mumbai's dense population, high-rises, slums and narrow roads make this a serious threat to life and property. A senior civic official told Hindustan Times: “They don't have a set path, and can travel anywhere. The wind movement can easily lead to ignition wherever it finds combustible material, hence banning would make sure that fire due to firecrackers would come to a halt.”

Earlier on Monday, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde appealed to residents to avoid bursting crackers near residential buildings or on footpaths, referring to the Bombay High Court's directions. “In view of the recent fire incidents caused by firecrackers over the past two days, I appeal to citizens to celebrate responsibly and ensure that their celebrations do not put others at risk,” she said in a video message. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray sought police action in cases where rockets entered homes and caused fires. “The police and administration must certainly take official action in such cases. An explanation is needed,” he said.

Thane district has also banned rockets and similar aerial firecrackers, until 8 January 2027. District Collector Dr Shrikrishna Panchal's order, dated 9 November, covers all six municipal corporations in the district, after 11 fire incidents in Thane on Sunday, Hindustan Times and The Indian Express reported. To report a fire in Mumbai, call the fire brigade on 101 or the helpline 1916.