Noisy dahi handi in Thane despite HC directive

“Even though the authorities asked the mandals to keep the noise levels within the permissible limits,there was no strategy devised by the police or others to see if they would follow through,” said a source present at the meeting.

The police is the authority responsible for acting on non-industrial noise pollution issues. Among those present at the meeting were Municipal Commissioner of Thane R Rajeev,Thane Commissioner of Police KP Raghuvanshi,representatives of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board,mandal representatives and Bedekar.

“The mandals ignored the Bombay High Court’s September 2010 order to keep noise pollution within permissible limits. On Monday,I monitored the noise levels in Thane and found that in most areas the values were above 100 dB,” said Bedekar.

Bedekar said many residents called the police to complain about the noise. On Tuesday,Thane police booked over 50 dahi handi mandals for violating the norms. “But how does it make sense to register complaints after the violation has happened? The police should take preventive measures,” he said. There is little hope of any measures being taken during the upcoming Ganpati and Navratri festivals. “In the same meeting,the issue of noise pollution during Ganesha festival and Navratri was also discussed,but no specific steps were decided to deal with it,” said the source.

Meanwhile,Mumbai too has suffered from severe noise pollution during festivals in the last few years. Awaaz Foundation,an NGO,which has been recording noise levels during festivals since 2003 has consistently found the limits to have been grossly violated in the city. “Police respond fairly well to noise pollution complaints during the rest of the year,but during festivals they either switch off their phones or say that mandals have requisite permissions,” said Sumaira Abdulali,convenor,Awaaz Foundation.

Processions passing through silence zones are a source of nuisance and health hazards for residents,especially children and the elderly. “The mandals are aware of the rules,but they still violate them. Strict police patrolling,especially in silence zones,will definitely be a deterrent. But individual police officers will not be able to do much unless there is political will,” said Abdulali.

Asked whether the police has any specific plans to prevent noise pollution during Ganpati or other festivals this year,Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik said,“We will definitely take necessary action if permissible sound levels are broken. However,our priority will be on the security front to prevent any terrorist attack.”

According to Noise (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000 enacted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests amended many times till 2010 (see box),“The noise level at the boundary of the public place,where loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source is being used shall not exceed 10 dB above the ambient noise standards for the area or 75 dB,whichever is lower”.

No loudspeakers around major hospitals,TMC told

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Thane Municipal Corporation not to give permission for loudspeakers around major hospitals,especially in view of the ongoing festival season.

“Why can’t you (TMC) at least be firm on implementing rules regarding silence zones around hospitals?,” asked Justice Ranjana Desai.

Stating that corporators “can do a great deal to create awareness”,the Division Bench of Justices Desai and R G Ketkar asked the Thane municipal commissioner to convene a meeting on Saturday with corporators to discuss the issue of noise pollution during festivals.

Emphasising the need to understand people’s sentiments,Justice Desai told the petitioner,”You should understand that the police also have to handle the issue tactfully. There is a difference between a stone-pelting mob and a crowd which has come together to celebrate a festival.” The case will now be heard on Monday.