The code of conduct goes on to suggest sarvajanik mandal office-bearers to have an agreement, if required, with the contractor who is supplying the music system.
The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Samanway Samiti (BSGSS) on Tuesday for the first time circulated a code of conduct for a more environment-friendly festival. The code asks various mandals associated with BSGSS to keep the decibel levels and time limits in check and as per the rulings of courts. It also appeals to mandals to avoid DJs and go for traditional ways of celebration, besides taking care of silence zones. The Samiti claims to be an umbrella body of 11,556 mandals of which 40% are its members.
"This is the first time we have done this. The reason is that we want people to celebrate the festival like a cultural event without creating any noise pollution," said Naresh Dahibhaukar, president of BSGSS. The code of conduct asks people to have decibel limits as per residential and commercial areas and also implement the 10pm deadline and not start anything till 6am.
The code of conduct goes on to suggest sarvajanik mandal office-bearers to have an agreement, if required, with the contractor who is supplying the music system. "If there is need, they should have an agreement, so that if the rule is violated, the responsibility is of the contractor and not the president or the secretary of the mandal," said Dahibhaukar. The Samiti has also suggested that apps be downloaded on smartphones so that decibel level can be checked.
On the four days of the festival, the circular adds, people are allowed to celebrate till midnight. "We are hence asking people not to celebrate till midnight on other days," said Dahibhaukar. Bollywood numbers, DJs and large sound systems, which have become synonymous with any Ganeshotsav, are also been discouraged. "We are asking them to have traditional festivals and play bhajans and devotional songs," said Dahibhaukar.
Permissible limits
Residential areas
From 6am to 10pm: 55dB
From 10pm to 6am: 45dB
Silence zones
From 6am to 10pm: 50dB
From 10pm to 6am: 40dB
Commercial areas
From 6am to 10pm: 65dB
From 10pm to 6am: 55dB
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