Activists protest delay in re-notifying silence zones

Reacting with shock at the state government's move to re-notify silence zones in Mumbai and rest of the state, anti-noise pollution activists have slammed the decision and said that they will not allow the government to jeopardise the health of citizens.

As of August 10, there are no areas notified as silence zones in Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra, as the state government will re-notify these areas. Until then, even the 100-metre zone around hospitals, courts, religious places and educational institutions have ceased to be mandatory silence zones. Unless and until any area or zone is notified by the state, they will not be considered as silent zones.

Reacting to the development, Sumaira Abdulali, Convenor of Awaaz Foundation, said, "We heard about the state government writing to the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change to relax noise norms for festivals but the government's failure to notify silence zones is shocking. It is sad that politicians are putting the health of citizens at risk for their own gain."

The Bombay High Court is hearing a petition filed by Awaaz Foundation, which highlights the issue of high decibel levels in and around the city during religious and cultural functions.

Abdulali said that it was important for the citizens to start using social media or write to the Chief Minister to demand that noise pollution laws be implemented in totality, and avoid tampering with the sanctity of silence zones. "I urge everyone to tweet to the CM and the PM asking them not to allow the killing of silence zones in Mumbai or the state," said Abdulali.