Last year, the noise levels during the inaugural day of the annual 10-day Mahim dargah festival, which traditionally begins from Mahim police station and is led by the police, was found to be 117.3 dB — well above the permitted 50 dB in a silence zone.
The Mumbai Police's reluctance to act against unauthorised loudspeakers at religious places comes as no surprise when one considers the fact that they themselves were found violating noise pollution rules.
Last year, the noise levels during the inaugural day of the annual 10-day Mahim dargah festival, which traditionally begins from Mahim police station and is led by the police, was found to be 117.3 dB — well above the permitted 50 dB in a silence zone.
Apathy from authorities meant to enforce noise pollution rules has been a longstanding affair. In May 2016, the Bombay High Court issued a contempt notice against the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) for "wilful and deliberate" breach of court orders on procurement of 1843 decibel meters for police stations.
Given that police have been mute bystanders to violations of noise level norms, it is incumbent not only on the state government to unshackle the police from any fetters of political interference on the issue, but also on citizens to build pressure on authorities, and motive them to take action, by regularly reporting such violations. Citizens should complain about decibel level violations, especially near silence zones around schools, hospitals and religious places. They should also try to take supporting videos or photographs that can act as evidence.
After all, in March 2015, the Bombay Hight Court had stated that every citizen has a fundamental right to silence and live in peace, which cannot be disturbed by organisers of festivals.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Noise pollution")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}