The Bombay High Court said on Tuesday it will put all municipal corporations and councils on notice before the festive season begins, to ensure proper compliance of noise pollution norms and that no pandal is put up illegally.
A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Riyaz Chagla said: "This festive season we will not allow any illegality; we have given many chances for compliance of our orders." The court has asked the government to place the festival chart on record by July 3.
Earlier, the court had issued contempt notices to the commissioners of several municipal corporations for not following the High Court order, directing them to follow proper procedure in granting permission to put up pandals during Ganapati, Navratri, and Dahi Handi festivals. Police officers and civic body officials have been authorised to take action if noise pollution norms are violated during the festivals.
The court also expressed displeasure over toll-free numbers started by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation not functioning. Counsel Rohan Came, appearing for NGO Aawaz Foundation, said the two numbers that were operational in November 2017, are not working now. He informed that the phone keeps ringing, but no one responds.
To this, the bench said: "This is a serious issue if phone numbers do not function, citizens are discouraged from complaining about noise pollution. It makes the whole purpose of setting up redressal systems futile." Appearing for the corporation, advocate Joel Carlos, said: "They will make sure these become functional by next Tuesday."
The direction was given during the hearing of a bunch of petitions filed by citizens, highlighting the problems of noise pollution and illegally put up pandals. The court will resume hearing the plea on July 3.
NO ILLLEGALITIES
- The HC said it won’t allow any more illegalities in this festival season
- The court has asked the government to place the festival chart on record by July 3
- Govt must ensure complaints are resolved promptly, said the HC
