India, Oct. 26 -- The Bombay High Court directed a total ban on bursting firecrackers on public streets and roads during festivals, citing concerns over rising noise and air pollution.

The court also ordered strict enforcement in silence zones near hospitals, schools, courts and government offices, along with public awareness campaigns and dedicated complaint mechanisms.

The directions came amid worsening air quality in Maharashtra, with AQI levels reportedly reaching 425 in parts of Mumbai even before Diwali.

In Punjab, the state government told NGT that the lack of suitable land had prevented the establishment of a common effluent treatment plant for dyeing and textile units in Ludhiana's Industrial Area-A.

Noise and air pollution d...