The Ganapati mandal members suggested four top speakers and four bass speakers
A senior police officer said around 80% of Ganapati mandals had responded positively to the proposal. Six high-volume music systems were seized and cases were filed against 110 committees for violating the prescribed sound decibel levels.
Pune commissioner of police (CP) Amitesh Kumar said, “Initially, we had proposed two top speakers and two bass speakers. “We have requested the troupes not to use tolls (round metal plates beaten with hammers) during the festival,” Kumar said. Pune : Efforts are on to resolve the issue of sound-system use during the upcoming Ganapati and Dahi Handi festivals between the Pune city police and mandals. The police suggested the use of four top speakers and four bass speakers for the celebrations to keep the decibel levels in check. This has raised the possibility of a compromise between the police and the mandals on the four-top, four-bass option. The police are now expected to discuss it and work towards a mutually acceptable solution. Citizen activists and the police opposed the use of high-intensity sound equipment during the festival. The Pune city police have been receiving complaints almost daily against dhol-tasha troupes practising in several parts of the city. The police have urged these troupes to use sound dampeners such as wet clothes, wet jute bags and other material to reduce the sound of the drums. The Pune city police took action against the committees using high-volume sound systems with more than four top speakers and four bass speakers during the Eid-e-Milad processions. The police also served notices to them.