The Mumbai police have prohibited citizens from bursting fire crackers in public places including the streets this Diwali, as it exposes residents and commuters to noise, air pollution and the risk of injury.

The order will be enforced in the city and suburbs. The police have also put a blanket ban on bursting of crackers between 10 pm and 6 am.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Sanjay Barkund, has issued the order under section 33 (u) (1) of the Bombay Police Act. If the order is violated, the offender is liable to be punished with imprisonment which may extend up to eight days or a fine of Rs 1,250, or both.

The order includes a ban on the use of rockets, apti bombs (thrown downwards), or big crackers which exceed 21 grams in weight as well as those that create a shuttering noise.

Crackers which exceed the noise decible level of 125 db are prohibited, so as malas (chain crackers), which may generate noise levels exceeding 105 decibels. The order is enforceable till November 6.

The police will also be adhering to the guidelines handed down by the Supreme Court in 2005, directing all states to work towards controlling the spurt in noise pollution during festivals. The directions were given while deciding the plea filed by the Forum, Prevention of Environment and Sound Pollution. "There shall be a complete ban on bursting sound emitting firecrackers between 10 pm and 6 am. It is not necessary to impose restrictions on bursting of colour/light emitting firecrackers," say the guidelines.

The guidelines also state that, "The Department of Explosives (DOE) shall undertake necessary research activity for the purpose and come out with the chemical formulae for each type or class of firecrackers. The DOE shall specify the proportion/composition as well as the maximum permissible weight of every chemical used in manufacturing the firecrackers."

The rules also cover cracker manufacturers. "Every firecracker manufacturer should mention on the box the details of its chemical contents and that it satisfies the requirement laid down by the DOE. In case of a failure on the part of the manufacturer to mention the details or in cases the contents of the box do not match the chemical formulae as stated, the manufacturer will be held liable."