Mumbai, Oct. 15 -- The Bombay High Court on Thursday clarified that the prohibition on bursting firecrackers on public roads during festivities will apply throughout the year, strengthening restrictions aimed at curbing noise and air pollution during celebrations.

A division bench comprising Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Neela K Gokhale passed the order while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) concerning excessive noise pollution and the use of firecrackers in public spaces.

The development comes ahead of Diwali and follows the court's September directions imposing a blanket ban on bursting firecrackers on public roads during festivals, including Ganeshotsav.

The court's intervention comes amid concerns over the impact ...