Nagpur has reported fifteen instances of noise levels surpassing permissible limits from August 1 to September 3. Despite these violations, the city police have stated that no criminal cases were filed, as informed to the Bombay High Court on Monday. This lack of legal action raises concerns about the enforcement of noise regulations in the city.
Of 249 vehicles inspected, 59 were found to have non-compliant silencers, all of which were removed or seized, while 74 challans were issued. The police have been directed to file a response explaining what action, if any, was taken on such complaints, before the next hearing on Sept 11. The traffic police also reported conducting regular inspections and special drives targeting vehicles fitted with modified or unauthorised silencers.
Regional police officers have been instructed to take immediate action whenever violations are detected, the affidavit said. The disclosures came as the HC continued hearing a public interest litigation concerning enforcement of noise-pollution regulations in the city. A division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Raj Wakode heard the matter, which includes a suo motu PIL taken up by the court following media reports, along with petitions filed by various organisations. Abdul Subhan is assisting the court as amicus curiae, while Ashutosh Dharmadhikari and Tushar Mandlekar appeared for the petitioners. At the previous hearing, the court had made clear that authorities could not limit action against noise-pollution violators to merely collecting fines, and directed that such violations be dealt with in accordance with law. The police affidavit states that complaints about excessive noise from loudspeakers, DJs, public programmes and processions can lead to seizure of equipment and other legal action, and that an offence can be registered in serious cases or where statutory provisions are violated.
The affidavit, filed by DCP (traffic) Aditya Mirkhelkar before the Nagpur bench, also states that no action was taken on noise-pollution complaints received during the period.