Mumbai pollution: What the High Court ordered, what it said, what the reports do not agree on

What it ordered: a ban on firecrackers on public roads and footpaths, a complete ban in silence zones, and affidavits by October 26.

What it said: it is shocking that Mumbai’s pollution is surpassing Delhi’s, and officials would be held accountable.

Discrepancy: Outlook India, citing aqi.in, gives an AQI of 150 to 200 over the past week, while Free Press Journal gives no figures.

Deadlines: public notices by October 24 and the hearing on October 26.

Not decided: whether contempt proceedings will follow, as the court only warned of them.

The bench of Justice Girish S Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale expressed concern about worsening air pollution during the festive season, according to Outlook India.

The court called it shocking that Mumbai was recording higher pollution levels than Delhi, according to Bar and Bench and Outlook India.

Outlook India, citing aqi.in, says Mumbai’s air quality index stayed between 150 and 200 over the past week, a range the article describes as unhealthy. Free Press Journal gave no AQI figures.

A complete prohibition on firecrackers applies in designated silence zones, including areas around hospitals, government offices, courts and schools, according to Outlook India.

The Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Mumbai Police Commissioner must file an affidavit by October 26 on the measures taken to comply, according to the reports.

A standard operating procedure is to be formulated for taking action against violators, according to Outlook India.

The Police Commissioner must convene a meeting with senior officers from all police stations on the restrictions and their enforcement, according to the same report.

The Free Press Journal reports that the heads of the BMC, Mumbai Police and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board were summoned to appear on October 26 to explain their failure to curb pollution and enforce the restrictions.

Bombay High Court building, Mumbai (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0