Govt to set decibel level for loudspeakers during Ganeshotsav

The government on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that permissions for use of loudspeakers to Ganpati mandals will prescribe decibel levels to be followed by them. This move comes after the recent amendment whereby all silence zones ceased to exist in the state.

Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni said, "There should not be a presumption that permission will be given for loudspeakers. Previous silence zone rules are not binding anymore but will be a guiding factor during re-notification."

He defended the amendment to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Amendment rules, 2017, by the union environment ministry. Under the amendment, until an area as contemplated by the said rules is notified by the 'state', it can't be considered as a silent zone.

Kumbhakoni said, "Give us that liberty to exercise our executive powers. We assure you that the government does not want to defeat the HC order that banned the use of loudspeakers or giving permission in silence zones."

During the hearing, division bench of justices Abhay Oka and Riyaz Chagla questioned the government's stand. "Why is it that an impression is being made that the state wants to allow the use of loudspeakers," they asked.

Addressing noise pollution activist Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of Awaaz Foundation, who was present in the court, Kumbhakoni said, "We are here to protect the excellent job done by you. Don't give comments like your work for 17 years has gone in the wind (sic)."

He further said that deemed silence zone prior to the amendment, which was around 100 metres of hospitals, education institutions, and courts, was unworkable.