Latest news with #NoisePollution(RegulationandControl)Rules
Time of India
30-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Experts rubbish PMC's claim of noise levels within limits
1 2 Pune: The civic body's recent Environment Status Report (ESR) has stated that noise levels under its jurisdiction have remained below permitted levels, contrary to claims of several studies and experts. As per the report, noise levels in industrial, commercial, residential, and silence zones were less than the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The limits for various zones range from 50-75 dB(A) for daytime, and 40-70 dB(A) at night. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, state that areas within 100m of hospitals, educational institutions, and courts are designated as silence zones. For its findings, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) carried out studies near busy markets, bus stations, hospitals, and educational institutions. Samples were taken from Navi Peth, Ramoshi Gate, Pulachiwadi, Katraj Lake, Phadke Haud Chowk, Erandwane, Rajaram Bridge, Ramwadi Octroi Naka and more for residential areas; commercial zones surveyed include Nal Stop, RTO, Swargate, Mandai, Bremane Chowk, KK Market, Ambedkar Chowk, and Wadgaon Budruk. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Singapore's Hip New Dining and Drinking Spots Epicure Asia Read More Undo You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune But experts pointed out that PMC also needs to provide details on its research methodology and analysis. Environmentalist Ravindra Sinha told TOI, "The civic body lacks a proper monitoring system for noise pollution. There should be consistent scientific tracking and assessment of sound levels at different times and locations. PMC is not equipped for this. So, any figures pertaining to noise pollution declared by PMC need be taken with a pinch of salt. " Mahesh Shindikar, head of the applied science department at CoEP Technological University, echoed, "It is tough to believe that PMC areas don't surpass prescribed noise limits. The civic administration should provide data and other facts based on which this conclusion was reached." To this, civic officials refuted that other measures — like directives of various authorities — have also played an important role in bringing down noise levels. An official of PMC's environment department told TOI, "Supreme Court banned fireworks that produce noise above 125 decibels. Bombay high court has also issued an order prohibiting use of loudspeakers at night. Prior police permission is required to use loudspeakers for any festival or public event. All this is creating awareness and helping curb noise levels." PMC officials also said directives have been given to install barriers and acoustic barriers near construction areas; tree plantation along roads can help reduce noise levels, too.
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Not a single religious structure has loudspeaker in Mumbai, says CM Fadnavis
MUMBAI: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis declared on Friday that the city has been made loudspeaker-free. The police have removed 1,608 loudspeakers from religious structures in Mumbai alone. Out of these, 1,149 were used in mosques, 48 in temples, 10 in churches, four in gurudwaras and 147 in other religious establishments. Thane, India - May 04, 2022: A general view of a loudspeaker atop a mosque in Thane, Mumbai, India, on Wednesday, May 04, 2022. (Praful Gangurde/HT Photo) (HT PHOTO) He was responding to a debate over complaints made by BJP legislators about the daily use of loudspeakers in the state and police inaction. The law is equal for all and appeasement of any community must stop, said BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar. In his response, Fadnavis said, 'Not a single religious structure has a loudspeaker in Mumbai.' The government has formulated a standard operating procedure for removing loudspeakers, which is being implemented across the state. He added that a compliance report was presented to the Bombay High Court, which was pleased with the action. 'We have started this in all districts in the state. A total of 3,367 loudspeakers have been removed from all the religious structures.' The police harmoniously removed all loudspeakers from religious structures in the last few months and registered no cases against anyone while doing so, he said. 'There is no resistance from any community. However, if someone resists or tries to reinstall, then the law will take its course.' To curb illegal use, he said the government plans to hold the local police station accountable if a religious structure in their jurisdiction is found to have an illegally installed loudspeaker. NCP legislator Sana Malik pointed out that the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules (2000), which regulate noise levels and protect citizens from excessive noise, is outdated and needs revision. 'The ambient noise level is much more than what was determined in the rules in 1986. I request the state to recommend a revision in it,' she said. The CM agreed and stated that the state would make such a recommendation to the central government, which could then amend the relevant law. 'I agree with her point. The ambient noise level is very low in the rules. The government will conduct a study and make a recommendation based on its findings,' Fadnavis told the state assembly. He also assured the House that the police would not harass the pandals for using loudspeakers during the Ganeshotsav and other festivals as long as they abide by the decibel rules. Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray made this request.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Seeing through noise? Panel's report in HC reply recommends amending 1985 law
Raipur: An affidavit submitted by the Chhattisgarh environment environment conservation board (CECB) in the high court recommended that the state govt should consider amending the Kolahal Niyantran Adhiniyam, 1985, taking in view the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000. Through a report submitted in compliance with earlier court orders, the board indicated that after a comparative analysis, the 2000 rules were found to be more stringent and the 1985 act should be aligned with them. On Monday, the Chhattisgarh high court took a suo motu cognizance concerning noise pollution, initiated after a news report. The court reviewed an application from the assistant legal officer, Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB), Bilaspur, detailing the work of a committee formed to address the issue. The report highlighted key differences between the two enactments. While the 1985 act permits loudspeaker use with authority permission, it does not specify noise limits. The 2000 Rules, in contrast, require permission and establish clear noise limits. The penalties and noise limits under the 2000 Rules are significantly stricter. Furthermore, Section 14 of the 1985 act categorises violations as non-cognizable and bailable offences. The committee's affidavit proposes amending this section of the 1985 act for more effective implementation by the administration. The committee, established by a January 29, 2025 order from the general administration department, Govt of Chhattisgarh, held its third meeting on May 29. It sought a report from the law department regarding the overlap between the two sets of regulations. The law department's comparative analysis revealed several inconsistencies. The classification of noise-prohibited zones differs in both enactments, as do the permitted time and area limits for loudspeaker use. The Kolahal Niyantran Adhiniyam, 1985, offers greater flexibility, with section 13 allowing free use of loudspeakers for 29 religious festivals. However, the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared this section unconstitutional in Rajendra Verma vs. State of MP and Umesh Sharma vs. Housing and Environment Department (2018). Conversely, Rule 5(3) of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, restricts loudspeaker use to 15 days annually. Regarding penalties, Section 15 of the 1985 act provides for a minimum punishment for violations, while rule 6 of the 2000 rules prescribes greater penalties, thereby enhancing enforceability. Section 19 of the 1985 act empowers the state govt to frame rules for its implementation, a provision absent in the 2000 Rules. The report suggests that the state govt can amend the 1985 act, taking into account the comparative analysis, and also frame rules under Section 19 of the act. It clarifies that in cases of conflict, central law prevails over state law. Since the 1985 act is a state enactment and the 2000 rules are a central enactment, the 2000 rules will take precedence. The committee has accepted the law department's report and recommended that the state govt consider amending the Kolahal Niyantran Adhiniyam, 1985, based on the department's suggestions. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Religious structures are loudspeaker-free, claims police chief
MUMBAI: 'Mumbai has become free of loudspeakers on religious structures,' police commissioner Deven Bharti said on Saturday. Mumbai, India. Apr 30, 2025: Deven Bharti IPS officer of the 1994 batch took charge as Mumbai Police commissioner from outgoing police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar at Mumbai Police headquarters in Mumbai. Mumbai, 30, 2025. (Photo by Raju Shinde/HT Photo) (Hindustan Times) While not naming any community, the police claimed that meetings and negotiations helped them convince community and political leaders, and the trustees of religious bodies, to remove loudspeakers from more than 1,500 structures, making the city 'loudspeaker-free'. They claimed the action was not aimed at any particular community and was in line with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis's directive in March, saying that the guidelines of the centre and court must be strictly followed. The police clarified, however, that religious structures can have loudspeakers installed 'temporarily', during festivals, after taking permission from local police stations. Bharti's sweeping statement follows an order of the Bombay High Court in January, in which the police were directed to take prompt action against loudspeakers and public address systems violating noise pollution rules. A bench of Justice A S Gadkari and A C Chandak had said that loudspeakers are not integral to any religion, highlighting the health risks posed by noise pollution. It observed that denying permission for loudspeakers does not infringe anyone's rights. The bench was hearing a petition filed by two housing societies in Kurla, which had raised concerns over the noise pollution caused by loudspeakers at local mosques. They argued that the use of loudspeakers for religious activities, including the Islamic call to prayer (azaan), disrupts the peace and infringes the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. However, the Muslim community has complained that the police have not been following due process while taking down loudspeakers at masjids. Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar met Muslim leaders and senior police officials, instructing the law enforcers to refrain from 'unlawful' actions. Pawar also urged BJP leader Kirit Somaiya to end his 'loudspeaker-free Mumbai campaign'.
NDTV
28-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Religious Sites In Mumbai Now "Loudspeaker-Free": Top Cop
Mumbai: Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti on Saturday asserted that the city is now entirely free of directional loudspeakers after its personnel successfully completed a comprehensive crackdown on public address systems at all religious structures. "All loudspeakers from religious structures have been removed. Mumbai is now loudspeaker-free from all religious structures," Bharti told PTI. The police commissioner, refuting claims of selective targeting, made it clear that religious structures of a particular community had not been singled out and stressed that the operation was conducted methodically, in line with the Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's directive for proper and non-arbitrary action. "We engaged in deliberations with community and religious leaders and also political party leaders and prevailed upon them," Bharti explained, highlighting the collaborative approach taken before implementing the measures. This action follows an order issued by the Bombay High Court in January this year, in which the police were directed to take prompt action against loudspeakers violating noise pollution norms and rules. The high court reiterated that the use of loudspeakers is not considered an essential part of any religion. Commenting about the scale of the operation, the police chief said, "We have removed around 1,500 directional loudspeakers from religious structures across the city. The police will also ensure that such loudspeakers are not put up again." While the ban on permanent loudspeakers is now in effect, the police commissioner clarified that temporary permissions for the use of loudspeakers will be granted during religious festivals. The high court, in its order, had noted that noise was a major health hazard and no one can claim that their rights are affected in any manner if he or she is denied permission to use loudspeakers. Mumbai was a cosmopolitan city, and obviously, there were persons of different religions in every part of the city, the court had said. The court order was passed on a petition by two housing associations from suburban Kurla - Jaago Nehru Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Shivsrushti Co-op. Housing Societies Association Ltd. - alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on masjids in the area. The petitioners contended that the use of loudspeakers for religious purposes, including the recitation of 'Azaan,' disturbed the peace and violated the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, as well as provisions under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
