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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 8:56:24 pm

Mumbai threatened by ‘toxic’ firecrackers

Lab tests reveal fireworks contain high levels of hazardous chemicals AI generated image Mumbai: Firecrackers sold as ‘green’ may be anything but environment-friendly, with laboratory tests commissioned by the Awaaz Foundation reportedly detecting hazardous chemicals, including high quantities of barium, in several popular brands sold in Mumbai. In a warning ahead of the festive season, anti-noise pollution activist and Awaaz Foundation Founder Sumaira Abdulali has urged Chief Minister...

Mumbai threatened by ‘toxic’ firecrackers

Lab tests reveal fireworks contain high levels of hazardous chemicals AI generated image Mumbai: Firecrackers sold as ‘green’ may be anything but environment-friendly, with laboratory tests commissioned by the Awaaz Foundation reportedly detecting hazardous chemicals, including high quantities of barium, in several popular brands sold in Mumbai. In a warning ahead of the festive season, anti-noise pollution activist and Awaaz Foundation Founder Sumaira Abdulali has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to crack down on such fireworks, demanding strict enforcement of restrictions at every stage, from manufacture and distribution to sale and use. Following complaints, the foundation procured 17 firecrackers from the main markets in south Mumbai and Kurla and sent them for laboratory testing. “Several of these were found to contain toxic chemicals, including high quantities of barium. Eleven had no noise levels specified, while four did not mention the chemical composition of their contents,” Abdulali contended. The Awaaz Foundation also raised questions about claims of environmental compliance by the manufacturers. Although all the crackers were labelled ‘Green Crackers’, five brands had no QR codes, while nine of those carrying QR codes were found to have fake codes when tested, she alleged. Abdulali has called for the authorities to ensure that products falsely marketed as ‘green’ or containing hazardous/banned chemicals are not allowed to enter the market. She pointed out that the Mumbai Police and the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) license firecracker distribution outlets, making enforcement and checks on products being sold particularly important in view of the larger public interest. The report comes as Mumbai enters a packed festive period - Devi Visarjan, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali and Guru Nanak Jayanti will be followed by Christmas and New Year celebrations, when firecrackers are commonly burst in public spaces. Abdulali noted that a recent Mumbai Police order prohibits the use of firecrackers in public places in the city until December 4, 2026, covering much of the festive season. She urged the authorities to ensure that the restrictions are implemented effectively. The potential health risks are particularly concerning as winter approaches, when weather conditions allow pollutants to linger in the air for longer periods. Abdulali said Mumbai’s Air Quality Index had deteriorated from the ‘Good’ category in the previous month to ‘Moderate’, with an AQI of 101 and PM2.5 recorded at Kherwadi on October 14, according to the figures cited by her. Referring to emails sent by the foundation on September 26 and 28 about loudspeakers, firecrackers and laser lights during the recently concluded Ganeshotsav, Abdulali appealed afresh for restrictions on laser lights and loudspeakers during upcoming festivals, including Navratri and the Mahim Dargah fair. With multiple festivals approaching, she called upon the state government to prioritise public health and ensure that misleading eco-friendly labels do not allow potentially hazardous firecrackers to reach consumers. Firecrackers: Not Fun At All The samples tested by Awaaz Foundation included popular varieties like: Flower Pot, TimTim Flower Pot, Deluxe Flower Pot, Colour Koti, Rainbow Fog, Ground Chakkar Deluxe, Power Point, King Winner Deluxe, Scarlet Saucer, Apple, Leo and Serpent Egg Big, among others. The manufacturers named comprise: Sri Padmavati Pyrotech, Sri Laxmi Fireworks, Vinayaga Sonny, Vanitha Fireworks Industries, Standard Fireworks, Rajkamal Sparklers, Sriram Fireworks, Anandha Krishna Fireworks, Vasantha Fireworks, Jai Durga Sparkles and Sri Pathrakali Paper Caps.

BMC auctioning three land parcels to raise funds, says Aaditya

Correspondent
Oct 18, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Aaditya

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday alleged Mumbai’s civic body had decided to auction three land parcels to raise funds and make up for the “loot” of the metropolis by the Eknath Shinde government.


The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which is being run by an administrator now, has decided to auction the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Mandi (Market), the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Malabar Hill Receiving Station and the Worli Asphalt Plant, Thackeray pointed out.


“The sale of Mumbai is being done by the Eknath Shinde regime to benefit its favourite builders and contractors,” he alleged.


A criminal investigation will be conducted into the matter after the Maha Vikas Aghadi government comes to power, Thackeray added.


“So on one end, they looted the BMC and Mumbai and gave the money to their favourite contractors. Now, by auctioning these iconic and important land parcels, the BMC will be left without both funds and plots,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former state minister claimed.


When Shiv Sena started controlling the BMC in 1997, its finances were in deficit but by 2022 his party turned around the fiscal health of the civic body, Thackeray said.


Alleging that the Shinde government wants to drive Kolis and fisherfolk out of Mumbai, he said, “We will oppose this. It has to remain and be made into a fish market, and (should be) in the ownership of the BMC.”


Aaditya puppet for urban naxals: Shelar

Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) Mumbai chief Ashish Shelar has called Uddhav Thackeray’s son and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray as a puppet for urban naxals after former’s comments on the Dharavi Redevelopment project and has also challenged him for a debate.

Ashish Shelar said that the project is a necessity and a priority project, adding that Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Congressleader Varsha Gaikwad are peddling lies.

Aaditya Thackeray seems to have become the spokesperson of urban Naxals. Without studying the subject (Dharavi) in detail, Aaditya Thackeray is speaking like an ignorant. I have seen that these people have been trying to set a narrative regarding Dharavi and the re-development work,” Ashish Shelar said.

He challenged Aaditya Thackeray and Varsha Gaikwad in a debate on the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.

“Uddhav ji and the people of his party – Aaditya Thackeray and Varsha Gaikwad have started this false narrative regarding Dharavi. I openly challenge Aaditya for a debate. I want to ask him that 70 per cent of the homes in the Dharavi Redevelopment Project will go to Marathi people, Muslims and Dalits. It is their rightful home, so why are they putting roadblocks by creating a false narrative?”

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