Following the furore over the noise pollution levels recorded during this year’s Ganapati festival, the environment department will send all reports to the police with recommendations for strong action against violators.
The CMO had sent the Awaaz Foundation report to the environment department.
On Monday, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) released its noise monitoring levels report recorded during Ganesh festival between September 25 and 29.
“After we go through the state pollution control board and Awaaz Foundation’s reports, they will be sent to the police recommending action against those who contributed to the pollution at locations which recorded high decibel levels,” said Valsa Nair, principal secretary (Environment).
The department will give detailed recommendations to the police to take strong action against those who violated the rules. “This will be done because the enforcement of the noise pollution norms is done by the police,” said Nair.
Unlike the reports from Awaaz Foundation which described the maximum and minimum readings of decibel levels, the MPCB readings were only on the average decibel levels. The highest average decibel level recorded this year was at Juhu Chowpatty on Saturday. It was 97.6 decibels. The lowest (73.2 decibel) was recorded at Chinchpokli (East). The recording was done for six hours each day between 6pm and 12 midnight.
Awaaz Foundation convenor Sumaira Abdulali criticised the manner in which MPCB conducted its recordings.
“The data was collected between 6pm and to 12 midnight. However, the peak noise period is between 11pm and 12.30pm. The intensity does not get adequately represented. It missed the peak period. One cannot nail the culprits unless the recordings are done in a more detailed manner. This is important if punitive action has to be taken against violators,” said Abdulali.
Sanjay Bhuskute, PRO MPCB, said: “Our reports are done scientifically and they are correct.”
