Pune: Pollution control board to monitor noise levels during Ganesh fest, urges mandals to adhere to SC guidelines

As per the noise pollution rules, permissible levels during the day are 50dB in silence zones and 55 dB in residential areas.

Shinde also appealed to the Ganesh mandals to follow the Supreme Court guidelines on noise pollution. (Express photo by Ganesh shirsekar)

Officials of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) said Tuesday they will monitor noise levels in Pune on the five prominent days of the Ganesh festival beginning Wednesday.

“The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board will monitor 25 prominent locations in Mumbai and 18 in Pune. We will monitor noise levels on five prominent days of the festival beginning with the first day where the Ganesh idol will be installed,” Nitin Shinde, Sub Regional Officer, told The Indian Express.

The pollution control board will monitor noise levels on August 31, September 1, 4, and 9 from 6 pm till midnight of the Ganesh festival across 132 locations for six hours.

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Shinde also appealed to the Ganesh mandals to follow the Supreme Court guidelines on noise pollution. “Muted celebrations and no immersion processions during the Covid pandemic had led to a drop in noise levels during the Ganesh festival. The Covid pandemic situation is an eye-opener and we need to maintain noise levels below specific limits,” Shinde said.

The locations consist of residential, commercial and silent zones. As per the noise pollution rules, permissible levels during the day are 50dB in silence zones and 55 dB in residential areas.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More

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