In Hyderabad, wedding season is a blast

As the wedding season gathers full swing in Hyderabad, the city's nights are once again filled with deafening bursts of fireworks, aerial firing, and blaring music - much to the distress of residents who are forced to endure sleepless nights. Citizens complain that despite repeated protests, the district administration and police have turned a blind eye to the growing menace.

With the onset of autumn and winter, when the weather turns pleasant and fans and air conditioners are switched off, even slight noises echo loudly through neighborhoods. Against this quiet backdrop, the explosions of fireworks and the boom of music amplifiers at wedding events sound like bomb blasts, leaving the sick, elderly, and students preparing for exams in great discomfort.

Almost every marriage hall and banquet in the city is hosting a wedding, valima, or related celebration, while in residential areas tents are being erected for mayun and mehndi functions. These gatherings often feature open aerial firing and the use of high-intensity fireworks. In many cases, such activities take place right outside police stations, but officers reportedly refrain from taking action against those involved.

Traffic congestion has become a routine nuisance. Fireworks displays, often staged outside wedding halls or on main roads, attract large crowds and block thoroughfares. Vehicles with high-powered sound systems lead groom processions, blasting music at intersections while guests dance in the streets. This spectacle, though joyous for participants, frequently brings traffic to a standstill, especially on roads where two-way traffic is forced to squeeze through a single lane.

Residents report that the sounds of aerial firing and explosive firecrackers travel far into the night, amplified by the season's early evening quiet. The noise pollution is not only disturbing but also dangerous, with some firecracker blasts so loud they resemble explosions.

Ironically, some of these venues are located just a few meters away from police stations. Yet, officers including SHOs allegedly ignore the violations, allowing the illegal practices to continue unchecked.

Adding to the disruption is the growing trend of filming fireworks for social media. Spectators gather in large numbers to capture the displays, prolonging the events and further clogging traffic. Notably, the Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad had previously imposed a formal ban on aerial firing, fireworks, and firecrackers outside wedding venues. Yet, these directives remain largely unenforced.