Speak up: Is notifying silence zones need of the hour?

Anti-noise pollution activists were in for a rude shock earlier this month when the city's silence zones lost their tag. They protested against the high-handedness by the state government which had informed the Bombay High Court, after an amendment, that there will be no "silence zones" in the entire state as it was yet to begin the process of notifying them. DNA speaks to a cross section of Mumbaikars on whether there is an urgent need to notify silence zones in the city.

Residents' speak

It is very important for the state government to allocate silence zones to ensure peace. Patients and senior citizens will be affected the most while people will continue to violate noise pollution norms. Lack of such precautionary measures will further worsen the quality of life in the city.
—Rekha Daswani, resident of Thane

The court's earlier stance was correct. Noisepollution is increasing day-by- day and is only causing problems. There should be certain spots in the city which are completely void of any noise pollution. Silence zones need to be notified at the earliest.
—Suraj Shinde, resident of Kandivli

Silence zones need to be brought in, they are the need of the hour. However, I do think music should be allowed post 10 pm during fetisvals. There should be a balance. Silence zones near hospitals, schools and other places should be reinstated by the state government.
—Advocate Tushar Mahale, resident of Worli

The festival season has just begun. Despite knowing the elaborate manner in which Mumbaikars like to celebrate the festival, how can we not have silence zones or decibel restrictions? This means loud noise would certainly hamper our sleep and will lead to irritation and uncomfortable situations this year. Without a good night sleep, it may cause health problems especially among the elderly.
—Nidhi Pant, resident of Chembur

State government needs to notify the silence zones again at the earliest. This situation emerged because of the high-handedness by the state government. However, even before the court's decision, the sound pollution norm was hardly being implemented across the city.
—Asit Singh, resident of Borivli

The government should definitely notify silence zones near schools, hospitals and other such places. Over the years, with festivals becoming bigger, loud music is played which has a huge impact on children, senior citizens and pregnant women. Strict rules regarding noise can only be made if silence zones are identified and notified.
—Durga Gudilu, city-based activist

I live in a Gaothan area and we face issues during processions. The noise is so much that it disturbs our peace all the time. Last year, if a procession would pass through a silence zone, people adhered to the rules. Now, that the ban is out, it will be back to square one. It will affect children's studying, hospitals and lives of people in general. Past few days everyone has been talking about it. People are not happy. May be those who are happy are not ordinary citizens.
—Anita Shetty, resident of Kurla

What constitutes a silence zone, itself, is an ambiguity for a regular citizen. There needs to be an awareness campaign through various mediums about its meaning, rules and regulations. But yes, in the light of frequent changes in the urban development rules and construction density of various establishments around there needs to be a silence zone. There is definitely an urgent requirement of notifying the silence zones again and certainly the deemed ones.
—Advocate Ranjeet Sangle, resident of Byculla