SPEAK UP: Kanwar yatra is turning into a chaotic affair, say residents

A group of saffron clad men, dancing to the tune of remixed Bollywood numbers being played at high decibels even past midnight, have drawn the ire of people who consider it to be noise pollution in the name of religious processions.

This common sight every night, which starts from the month of July, is the Kanwar season. It ends up creating a nuisance for commuters as well as residents who face the brunt of the caravans of the ‘Kanwariyas’ (people who carry ganga jal or holy water from the Ganges).

The Kanwar season, which begins every year from July, creates a nightmare for many residents living in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

The processions, which take place in the name of Lord Shiva, ultimately turns out to be a kind of noise pollution with loud speakers playing songs like Jab bhi koi ladki dekhuon, mera dil deewana bole, bole bole bole.

Delhi Police officials revealed that they do not maintain a data of religious noise pollution complaints. “If the police is informed about loudspeakers being used for religious purposes beyond the permitted time limit, we aim to solve the issue, and ask the concerned persons to lower the noise. Unless we get a written complaint, we do not register a case,” said a senior police official.

It is not just the music that is a problem, but also the pollution and traffic. Since the trucks and tempos they travel in are driven at a slow pace, commuters find it difficult to make their own way though it.

The vehicles also emanate smoke. Kanwariyas have pit-stops made for them on the sides of the roads for them to rest at certain intervals, and to refill themselves. These spots are trouble spots too, with loud music and drunk people creating a ruckus.

TOO LOUD

• According to experts, people in Delhi are generally exposed to very high degree of noise pollution going up to 65-70 DB during the day and 50- 55 DB during the night. In a recent it was found the situation of most residential areas were exposed to high sound levels

The road from Noida to Kalindi Kunj sees traffic jams on every day, and it worsens when Kanwar season. Every day I get delayed to reach my destination
—Avi Srivastava
 
I get late every day during the Kanwar season. They play the music so loud in the name of Lord Shiva. There is a Kanwar camp near my house, and I am sure senior citizens might be getting troubled because of this, as they play music loud throughout the day and in the night too.
—Piyanshi Sidwani

Already the city faces heavy traffic jams,  and too add to our traffic woes we have Kanwariyas. I have to reschedule my day, keeping in mind that it will take me an hour more to reach my destination.  
—Kanav Sharma

I am associated with app-based cab service, we face a lot of traffic, but when Kanwariyas are on their pilgrimage, I know I will not be able to reach my desitination in time. There are many times customers cancel the cab booking, as I have not reached on time, I face huge financial loss during this time.
—Lal Muhammad

More than a religious procession, kanwar yatra nowadays is about unnecessary traffic and noise. Last night, while I was on my way home at 11 pm, a truck full of kanwars stopped their vehicle mid day and were dancing, which caused traffic jam for nearly 20 mins. The truck was accompanied by two cars and six scooters that did not let any vehicle pass by.
—Sumedha Kirti

EXPERT SPEAK

Yes, I agree that they occupy the space on the road and it music is loud. Since they are large in number it causes traffic congestion We need to define their paths, so the huge crowd does not mingle with the regular traffic
—PK Sarkar, (Professor of Transport Planning, School of Planning and Architecture)

I think in some of the religious procession, they misuse the loudspeaker causing noise pollution. This I think is something which should not happen. If it is done in a proper way, then it is okay. We are in a democratic country, so we can use it, but we should have proper permission to use loudspeakers.
—Omesh Saigal, (former Delhi chief secretary and president of Panchshila Club)