MUMBAI
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules are usually relaxed during festivals, but only for the deadline and not the decibel levels.
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules are usually relaxed during festivals, but only for the deadline and not the decibel levels.
Despite being prohibited from bursting crackers and playing loud music within 100-m radius of silence zones, which include courts, hospitals and educational institutes, citizens continue to violate the norms, especially during Diwali.
Does this mean the rules will be adhered to only if offenders are sent to jail?
But, Sumaira Abdulali, a member of Awaaz Foundation, an NGO which has been advocating for environmental causes, feels sending violators to jail would be too harsh.
“Instead the police should act beforehand. When they know where noisy firecrackers would be burst, they should confiscate them in advance. Why allow them to be used?” said Abdulali.
The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, which were framed under the Environment Protection (EP) Act, provide for a maximum of 50 decibel level during the day and not more than 40 decibels at night after 10.
A little-known provision in the EP Act provides for a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh or a jail term of up to five years for contravention the provisions of the Act. And if the violation continues for over a year, the offender can invite up to seven years in jail.
But the police find it difficult to implement the law, said Sandeep Aole, advocate for Wecom Trust.
Based on the public interest litigation filed by this trust, the high court had directed the municipal corporation to initiate steps to declare Shivaji Park a silence zone.
“Loudspeakers are not allowed in silence zones, but during festivals, music is played on loudspeakers and sound amplifiers. How will one maintain the 50 decibel level while using the loudspeaker?” asked Aole.
The noise pollution rules need to re-worked so that they can be implemented in open areas such as Shivaji Park, he suggested.
A survey conducted by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Awaaz Foundation last Diwali had found that noise levels created by rassi bombs measured up to 145 decibels.
Moreover, the noise levels in silence zones were as high as 105 decibels.
Noise level near Lilavati Hospital at Bandra was 105 dB, whereas readings at Shivaji Park and Siddhivinayak Temple were 95 dB and 89 dB respectively. At Carter Road at Bandra, the decibel level was as high as 130.
Sanjay Bhuskute, public relations officer with the MPCB, said that they have little power to take action against offenders.
“But, for the last two years, we have started testing the crackers before Diwali and inform the directorate of explosives about the ones that violate noise norms. They then decide on taking action or imposing the ban on those crackers,” he added.
Raima Sen mourns Bharat Dev Varma's demise, pens emotional note for 'great father, great husband'
DNA TV Show: Ahead of Maharashtra poll results, MVA, Mahayuti engage in resort politics
Maharashtra: Stage set for assembly poll results; Mahayuti, MVA confident of their victories
All set for vote counting in Jharkhand tomorrow; NDA, JMM-led alliances confident of winning
Watch: Australia star inquires Rishabh Pant about his next IPL team, gets 2-word reply
Shah Rukh Khan’s house Mannat was first offered to his industry rival…, but he refused because...
The Visionary Who Promises a Blue Sky for India: Holger Thorsten Schubart’s G20 Climate Speech
The Surge of High-End Living: Luxury Residential Market to Outpace Other Segments
FeFCon 2024 to be Held in Bangalore: A Premier Event on Fever Management
'That’s wild': Noida man turns cigarette butts into teddy bears in viral video, watch
London Airport evacuates passengers over security threat, thousands stranded
The World’s First Innovative Iron Supplement to Combat Iron Deficiency and Anaemia
Meet grandmother who became fashion icon after trying on her granddaughter’s clothes
IND vs AUS: Rishabh Pant joins Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in elite WTC list, becomes 3rd Indian to...
'All scripted drama...': Puneet Superstar allegedly assaulted by influencers in viral video, watch
Actress Ana de Armas caught kissing Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s son in viral photos
Oreshnik's Shadow: Will Russia's hypersonic missile force west to back down?
‘You’re So Beautiful’: World’s tallest woman meets world’s shortest woman over tea, pics go viral
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Consequences of GRAP-4 are drastic, may have adverse effects, says SC
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Schools likely to stay closed till..., check city-wise update
Maharashtra: 3 killed, 9 hospitalised after gas leak at fertiliser plant in Sangli
THIS farm is selling a cup of coffee for Rs 28000, but there's a twist, it is...
Chhattisgarh: 10 Maoists killed after encounter with security personnel in Sukma
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT plan for Jio users, offers unlimited 5G access for 1 year for just Rs...
IND vs AUS 1st Test: KL Rahul's dismissal sparks DRS controversy in Perth Test
Dense fog, heavy rain predicted in these states till November 25; check here
Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile: Which nations are within its range?
Bihar teacher, principal reach school in drunken state; know what happened next
'I have faced a lot of...': Arjun Kapoor REVEALS his biggest fear amid break up with Malaika Arora
How millions of Indians may get affected due to US indictment of Gautam Adani in bribery case
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan says 'missing someone is okay but...'
After Bibles, watches and sneakers, Donald Trump is now selling autographed guitars, price is...
Delhi pollution: Air quality improves to ‘very poor’ category, AQI at...
Vladimir Putin's BIG threat, warns he could strike UK with new ballistic missile if...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 22, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
Somebody misbehaved with Alia Bhatt on Highway sets then Imtiaz Ali had to...
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal reveals twist behind Rs 200000 job fee, closes application window
Days after Ratan Tata's demise, Tata Group's Rs 131000 crore company inks pact with ADB for...