Noise levels on Tuesday, the first day of a Sufi festival which traditionally begins from the Mahim police station were recorded at 117.3dB
Even as environmentalists and citizens press for implementation of the Noise Pollution Rules in the city,the Mumbai police that is expected to enforce these rules seem to have no qualms violating them.
Ignoring several complaints being filed since past few years to maintain the noise levels during the inaugural day of the annual 10-day festival honouring Sufi saint Makhdoom Ali Mahimi, which has traditionally begun from the Mahim police station- the maximum noise levels recorded on Tuesday by anti-noise pollution activists was found to be 117.3dB.
Sumaira Abdulali Convenor of Awaaz Foundation who has even sent a report to written to Mumbai Police Commissioner Datta Padsalgikar said that between 2.15 pm to 3 pm the noise pollution from loudspeakers and brass instruments within the premises of the Mahim Police Station was recorded between 98dB – 117.3dB
“Seeing the violation I made several oral complaints and finally even made a written complaint at about 2.52 pm and apart from that i also drew the attention of the cops at the Police Station to the High Court Order and showed them the readings on my decibel meter,” she said.
Abdulali also claimed that no action was taken while three separate groups of drums, loudspeakers and brass instruments continued to make noise within police station premises in a Silence Zone (as the police station is next to a Balwadi and masjid).
Abdulali said that what shocked her was the fact that the when she raised the issue with the police, some of them told her that this was a traditional event and that that the balwadi next door was also closed.
Locals in the vicinity of Mahim dargah claim that the noise pollution during the festival causes immense suffering to them and that they get no respite despite complaining to almost everyone from the dargah trustees to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“It has been an age-old custom and tradition that the festival’s inaugural procession begins at Mahim police station with Senior Police Inspector of Mahim Police Station and other policemen carrying an offering of sandalwood paste, perfume or attar, flowers, silver utensils and a silk chaddar to the saint’s dargah,” said a local resident who did not wished to be named.
He said that several groups of residents from the neighbourhood had even formed a group and even met top police officers last year to ask respite from the high noise levels but everyone seems to have ignored their woes.
“Every year the noise levels have been growing. Our children cant study, people cant rest as the noise of processions are very loud and even making complaints on the Mumbai police control room is of no help,” said another resident.
“We are taking the readings of the noise pollution and will be taking necessary action against organisers soon,” said Milind Idekar, Senior Police Inspector at Mahim Police Station.
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