Love loud crackers? We’d suggest toning down the enthusiasm. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to put norms in place to take action against those responsible for noise pollution.
Love loud crackers? We’d suggest toning down the enthusiasm. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to put norms in place to take action against those responsible for noise pollution.
According to a senior civic official, the BMC is not equipped to take action against activities leading to noise pollution.
“We have just been warning people as per the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board’s (MPCB) guidelines. But, there is no provision in the BMC Act regarding noise pollution and action to be taken against it. We can take action for littering crackers on the road under the solid waste management by-laws. But, there should be a hefty fine to discourage people from bursting such crackers,” he said.
He added that there are more than 2,000 construction sites in the city that are key noise pollution centres.
“Here, the BMC cannot do anything in the absence of a strong law.”
As per the MPCB’s norms, if a person or a firm creates noise measuring more than 45dB during the day and 40dB at night, then it can slap him with a fine of Rs5 lakh or put him behind the bars for six months. But the MPCB has levied no such penalty till date. Reason in its record books: shortage of staff to initiate action.
Rahul Shewale, chairman of the BMC standing committee, admitted that noise polluters were getting a free run in the city because of the lack of rigid norms.
“We are committed to putting in place good and effective norms that can enable BMC officials to take action. Earlier, there was no need for such a law. But with rising noise pollution levels, peaceful living has become a distant dream. And their side-effects are quite alarming and dangerous. If the right steps are not taken on time, then the situation will become difficult. More people will turn deaf and stress levels will increase. Children and senior citizens are also vulnerable to noise pollution. We have, therefore, decided to bring in separate and effective norms that will control it,” he said.
“I will call all party political leaders for a BMC meeting, where this said issue will be discussed,” assured Shewale.
Rajendraprasad Chaube, a corporator from the Congress, said DNA’s campaign ‘Volume Kam Kar’ has made people aware of the effects of noise pollution.
“The BMC will not lag in making a good law that will help us in the long term. Addressing noise pollution is as important as water, air and soil pollution. Many people leave the city during festivals such as Diwali and Ganesh Chathurti because of noise pollution. Whenever the noise pollution law will be tabled on the floor of the house, I will wholeheartedly support it,” he said.
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