Mumbai bans rockets, aerial firecrackers till Nov 25 after 137 fires on Diwali

The Mumbai Disaster Management Authority on Monday imposed a citywide ban on rockets and other aerial firecrackers until November 25 following a sharp rise in fire incidents during Diwali celebrations. The prohibition covers public and private spaces, including residential buildings, terraces, balconies, parking lots and slum areas.The order, issued under the Disaster Management Act by Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajakta Lavangare-Verma in her capacity as chairperson-in-charge of the Urban Disaster Management Authority, Brihanmumbai, came into immediate effect on November 9 and will remain in force until 11.59 pm on November 25.137 FIRE INCIDENTS IN 24 HOURSThe restriction comes after Mumbai recorded 142 fire incidents on November 8, of which 137 were attributed to firecrackers, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Two women were injured in these incidents.The scale of the problem has increased compared with previous years. During Diwali in 2024, Mumbai reported 262 fire incidents, including 80 caused by firecrackers, leaving three people injured. In 2025, the city recorded 289 fire incidents, of which 113 were attributed to firecrackers. No deaths or injuries were reported that year. The disaster management authority said rockets and similar aerial firecrackers could land on rooftops, balconies, windows and other combustible materials, triggering fires. Densely populated neighbourhoods, high-rise buildings, slum clusters, narrow roads and closely packed residential and commercial structures further heightened the risk to lives and property.MAYOR, AADITYA THACKERAY URGE CAUTIONEarlier on Monday, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde appealed to residents to celebrate Diwali responsibly and avoid bursting firecrackers near residential buildings or on footpaths. "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.Tawde also referred to the High Court's directions against bursting firecrackers on footpaths and in public places. She urged residents to avoid rockets and other aerial firecrackers that could stray into homes, cause property damage or endanger lives.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray also sought police action in cases where rockets and aerial firecrackers entered homes and caused fires."The police and administration must certainly take official action in such cases. An explanation is needed," the former Maharashtra environment minister said.Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri also raised concerns after an errant rocket struck a sofa on his balcony and caused a fire. In a post addressed to the mayor, he said his dogs alerted the family in time and the sofa's fire-resistant fabric helped prevent a potentially serious accident.Agnihotri called for strict enforcement of safety rules and accountability from authorities responsible for public awareness, implementing court orders and preventing violations. He also urged the administration to investigate the fires and fix responsibility wherever negligence or enforcement failures were established.FIRE DEPARTMENT ISSUES SAFETY ADVISORYSeparately, the Mumbai Fire Department appealed to residents to follow fire safety precautions while bursting firecrackers. It urged people to use open spaces and maintain a safe distance from buildings, huts, shops, parking lots, petrol pumps, electric poles and wires.The department also advised residents to keep buckets of water or fire extinguishers nearby, ensure parental supervision of children, avoid holding firecrackers while lighting them and never attempt to relight unexploded crackers. Residents were also asked to avoid loose or synthetic clothing and keep combustible materials away from terraces, balconies and windows.The BMC urged citizens to immediately report fire emergencies to the Mumbai Fire Department at 101 or its helpline 1916. The fire department has also provided the emergency contact numbers 9076333101, 9076333102, 9076333103, 9076333104 and 9076333105.The ban specifically covers rockets and other aerial firecrackers. The use of other varieties will continue to be governed by existing laws, directions from competent authorities and court orders.- Ends