Silence will be golden at Shivaji Park

The high court ruled in an interim order on Wednesday that Shivaji Park would be a silence zone. DNA asks people about effectiveness of the ban that came in after a six year long battle and use of loudspeakers by political parties.

Expert view

An inspiration for others affected by the problem
Declaring Shivaji Park as a silence zone is really appreciable. After six years of battling frequent noise and din from political rallies, residents are able to get the high court order. Now when there is court order residents will be relaxed. It is very important to realise that more than any rally or party function, peace and health are more important for all residents. This order can be an inspiration for many people who are suffering from noise pollution. We must accept that the menace of noise is growing everywhere in the city. Citizens must come together and oppose such hazard. Moreover the government must ensure that silence zone rules must be followed by politicians. They should not remain applicable to common people only. Rules must be same for everyone. For keeping the environs silent, people should report any violation promptly.
—Sumaira Abdulali, founder, Awaaz Foundation

Activist view

People should know the rules to battle ahead
T he high court's order is a great relief for the residents of Shivaji Park.  Firstly, one of the residents checked the level of noise pollution of loudspeakers used in political and other rallies, with an instrument. It revealed that the decibel level was quite high and this was the reason why many people residing near Shivaji Park felt some discomfort. So the residents approached the civic corporation but they did nothing to resolve the problem of noise pollution. We then moved to the Maharashtra state Pollution Control Board and they declared that there was grave noise pollution despite many residential colonies, schools and religious places. They sent a recommendation to state government too. People also got a copy of the Noise Pollution Rules 2004. But it didn’t yield any results. So in the end people filed a public interest litigation and finally won the battle. You must get the list of silence zones from your ward office. If the list says that your area comes under the jurisdiction of silence zones and no rules are being followed then you can approach the authority.
—Ashok Ravat, founder, member Shivaji Park ALM



Motorists violate norms as well
It’s a good move and should help in ensuring that one of the most iconic landmarks becomes a peaceful place. Similar bans should be instituted at other places as well. It comes across as a huge menace especially for students. Spending quality time with friends or family almost becomes impossible because of blaring loudspeakers at festivals and during elections. The ban acknowledges the growing problems that people are facing. However, motorists blare horns in front of various silence zones like shrines, schools and hospitals and clinics. During festivals and elections these rules are completely forgotten. These silence zones need to be followed with utmost sincerity.
—Preeti Doiphode, associate consultant

More realisation about hazard
This is a big relief for all residents, especially senior citizens who are in a majority in this area. People are becoming conscious about the environment and realise that noise pollution is a growing menace and silent hazard in the city. Other steps which can be taken to curb the menace are shifting rallies by political parties and other functions to non-residential areas. Also, nobody adheres to the 10 pm deadline so the culprits should be dealt seriously. This will deter people from blaring loudspeakers for public or private functions. More awareness should be created about silence zones across the city and ensure that everyone respects them.
—Devlina Dutt, management associate

Loud revelry is not celebration
The move is welcome though, I’m not sure of the application of the ruling. I hope political parties do not appeal against the ruling. In a sense this is an acknowledgment that the problem of noise pollution needs to be addressed. But importantly, it will be good if we look at the attitude of our citizens. Celebrating any occasion with loud music, without having any consideration for other residents is not correct. The attitude of most citizens needs to change, only then will legal steps be helpful. Unless we change our attitude, curbing the menace drastically will not be possible. Political parties also need to show concern. The educated class of the city needs to alter their cultural activities.
—Harshal Shah, finance consultant

Gatherings are to bind people
It is completely justified to ban loudspeakers in public places. Noise pollution is a great nuisance, especially for senior citizens, infants and young children appearing for exams. Noise pollution can be curbed by using loudspeakers only in private forums. Political and cultural activities are meant to bind people and hence should be conducted in a conducive manner. Shivaji Park has several residential colonies and it will be selfish to not keep their well-being in mind. Closed private auditoriums can be made use of for these occasions. If it is feasible for us to create huge sound-proof auditoriums for these purposes, it will be of great use.
—Divya Hinge, PR professional

Apply the law to politicians too
Declaring the area as a silence zone will be effective and a welcome move. However the government should ban loudspeakers all over Mumbai, not only in Shivaji Park. There should be a rule prohibiting use of loudspeakers especially on roads. The law must be applicable to everyone including politicians. This is a good step taken towards curbing noise pollution, but other measures must be taken to curb the problem in Mumbai immediately. There are some more initiatives to discourage noise pollution. Firstly, politicians shouldn’t be allowed to speak on the roads and canvas for candidates during the election. Secondly, during festivals people should not be allowed to put loudspeakers on the road.
—Jaya Mistry, admin executive

Need time limit on other days
I’m happy that finally Shivaji Park is declared as silence zone. I have been residing here for almost 25 years and the misuse of the playground for political and religious rallies has led to the menace of noise pollution throughout the year. However I’m unsure about what will happen during Ganesh Chaturthi. During the festivities, there is chaos and loud music for eleven days. If they can resolve and tone down the festivities, it will be appreciated. Also they need to put some restriction and cut-off time on the use of loudspeakers for dates like Republic Day and Ambedkar Jayanti. Also there is a senior citizens’ enclosure, it will benefit them to a large extent. 
—Jimit Shah, account executive