Mumbai: BMC bans bursting of fire-crackers at public places

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC has imposed a ban on the bursting of firecrackers at public places during Diwali festival. The Mumbai civic body has taken the decision in view of rising COVID-19 cases in the city.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani announced on Thursday that violators shall be penalized and the SOPs in this regard would be issued shortly.

Speaking to Zee News sources said, Bursting firecrackers would release a lot of smoke and other pollutants. It would adversely impact the health of Covid-19 patients. Also, increase the risk of infection among the other high-risk categories like children or senior citizens.

Sources added The Maharashtra government is likely to impose similar prohibitions on firecrackers in public in many other parts of the state. The apprehension of a second wave of the infection that may hit in winter is the main reason behind the ban.

Maharashtra currently has the highest cases and deaths due to COVID-19. Maximum number of active patients in Pune, Thane, Mumbai, Nashik, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Raigad and Satara.

The state has recorded 16,98,198 infections till date and 44,548 fatalities since the first case on March 9.

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