15,000 Ganesh mandals booked, none punished in Mumbai

The fact that Ganeshotsav is just around the corner may not be music to the ears of several Mumbaikars. Even though there are rules in place to contain the noise pollution, their implementation by the authorities leaves a lot to be desired.

For instance, last year, around 15,000 Ganesh mandals across the state, including 1,300 in the city, were booked for violating the noise pollution deadline on visarjan days. Interestingly, none of them have been punished.

The Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, the coordination committee of all Ganesh mandals in the city, met guardian minister Naseem Khan requesting that the cases be withdrawn.

“We told the minister that most mandals weren’t aware of the law,” said Naresh Dahibawkar, secretary of the coordinating committee. “This year, we have already informed all the mandals in the city that all festivities should be over before 12am.”

The committee has also asked for an extension of the 10pm deadline for two more days. “We have exemption on the 10pm deadline for three days — the fifth day of the festival, Gauri visarjan and Anant Chaturdashi.  We want to organise cultural programmes for locals on the eight day as most home idols are already immersed by then. But, we have to stop the festivities by 10pm, which is too early,” said Dahibawkar.

However, activists are against the move. “This Gokulashtami, we recorded noise levels as high as 95decibel (DB), nearly twice as loud as the safe levels recommended,” said Sumaira Abdulali, who runs Awaaz Foundation.  “In the 60s, small communities would get together and organise these festivals. Now, these functions have become so big and with noise levels which can cause deafness.”

Anything above 80DB is harmful for the human ear and can even cause deafness, high blood pressure etc.