India, Sept. 24 -- The Bombay High Court, while banning the bursting of firecrackers on roads during festivals, has criticised the Maharashtra government for painting a rosy picture and chanting the 'All is Well' mantra, noting that rules on noise pollution were not being implemented.

The HC stressed the need for "total restraint" on loud music and called for a more dignified and civilised way of celebrating festivals.

There was a "total laxity" on the part of the enforcement machinery in implementing the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, a bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale held on Tuesday.

It ordered a complete ban on loudspeakers, DJs, laser beams and bursting of firecrackers on public roads during fes...