O.P.Modi
With fast growing modern life everyone is getting acquainted with the nuisance of noise created by loudspeakers playing music at a very high pitch and in between making announcements. This is not confined only to cities but is equally a menace for the villagers. However, we have a comprehensive legislation to control noise pollution of every kind.
In the following paragraphs I quote some of the rules from the text of the Noise Pollution Act.
The legislation:- The State Government may categorize the areas into silence areas/zones for the purpose of implementation of noise standards in the industrial, commercial, and residential areas.
Government shall take measures for abatement of noise including noise emanating from vehicular movements and ensure that the existing noise levels do not counter the rules.
(1) The noise levels in any area/zone shall not exceed the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise as specified in the Schedule for different areas.
. (2) The authority shall be responsible for the enforcement of noise pollution control measures and the due compliance of the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.
Restrictions on the use of loud speakers/public address system. –
(l) A loudspeaker or a public address system shall not be used except after obtaining written permission from the authority. –
(2) Public address system shall not be used at night (between 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.) except in closed premises for communication within, e.g. auditoria, conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.
Consequences of any violation in silence zone/area.-Whoever, in any place covered under the silence zone/area commits any of the following offence, he shall be liable for penalty under the provisions of the Act:-
(i) Whoever, plays any music or raises any sound amplifiers,
(ii) Whoever, beats a drum or tom-tom or blows a horn either, musical or pressure, or trumpet or beats or sounds any instrument, or
(iii) Whoever, exhibits any mimetic, musical or other performances of a nature to attract crowds.
7. Complaints to be made to the authority-
(1) A person may, if the noise level exceeds the ambient noise standards by 11) dB (A) or more given in the corresponding columns against any area/zone, make a complaint to the authority.
(2) The authority shall act on the complaint and take action against the violator in accordance with the provisions of these rules and
(3) All development authorities, local bodies and other concerned authorities while planning developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to town and country planning shall take into consideration all aspects of noise pollution as a parameter of life to avoid noise menace and to achieve the objective of maintaining the
(4) An area comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions and courts may
. That was from the Act.
In our in the neighboring state Punjab the rules are strictly followed. Wherever a function takes place a police man is posted to inform his superiors if the rules are flouted. Strict action is taken against the violator.
Regrettably in our state the rules are not strictly followed with result people suffer.
A common experience:-
In the temple nearby a marriage party is celebrated. The participants make deafening noise dancing helter-skelter, on violent beat of the drums, in between raising shrill cries as if some catastrophe had struck and they were not in the middle of a happy occasion! Members from marriage party, both women and men were dead drunk. They continued to gulp more and more alcohol and some were so heavily drunk that they fell one over the other. Abusing with unspeakable dirty words and throwing their hands in the air as if they were beating someone. One of them finding no one to accept his beating beat himself; slapping himself hard till he started weeping loudly. Some women came near him to console. He pushed them back and continued to beat and weep.
The noise was tumultuous. It seemed that the participants were from ancient times. They behaved like barbarians, having no morals, or culture nor any decency. Not caring for others’ comfort or feelings. They were busy in their indecent singing, dancing and beating of drums, ignoring the fact that they were celebrating the marriage in a civilian locality, where old and sick persons also lived. Where newly born babies were sleeping. Their moms cursed the noise and its originators. Some wanted to go out and beat the violators but restrained by their hubbies.
Their dance and song of which the words were un-understandable could not even be ignored. The pitch was so shrill and ear shattering. Yet it could be realized that every word they sang and each step of dance was indecent and obnoxious.
(The authorities in J&K ought to learn from Punjab take action accodringly)
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