In 36 cases, too loud for the law. Nashik city police booked 36 Ganapati mandals for allegedly breaching permissible noise limits during Friday’s immersion processions, as high-decibel sound systems added to the inconvenience on crowded city roads. Nashik: The music was loud.
Cases have been registered under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Police said subsequent action could include seizure of sound systems and forfeiture of the Rs 1 lakh deposit collected while granting permission, besides criminal cases where applicable.
But police said several Ganesh mandals in the city crossed permissible decibel limits despite repeated warnings. Police said mandals had been repeatedly told to comply with noise-pollution norms. Officials said police teams had also tried to prevent mandals from using prohibited laser lights.
Thousands had turned out for Ganesh visarjan . Immersion processions packed the roads with devotees, drums and music. The violations were detected in areas within Bhadrakali, Sarkarwada and Deolali Camp police station limits. Organisers were also briefed about a recent Bombay High Court order and the action they could face for violations. The restriction follows incidents in Nashik a few years ago in which people allegedly suffered eye injuries from lasers.