Immersion procession at Papachi Tickti on Friday night
Kolhapur : On Anant Chaturdashi , noise levels along Kolhapur’s designated Ganesh immersion route soared to 101.3 decibels (db) at Mahadwar Road during the day and 101.9 db at Papachi Tikti at night — levels comparable to standing near the speakers at a live rock concert and capable of leaving ears ringing. The immersion procession began on Friday morning and continued until 9am on Saturday, lasting nearly 24 hours. A study found sound levels on immersion day in 2025 were higher than the previous year. Gujari Corner recorded the highest levels, at 98.20 dB during the day and 90.75 dB at night. The immersion procession falls under a commercial zone where, as per Central Pollution Control Board, a limit of 65 dB is permitted during day time and 55 dB during night time. Nine mandals recorded sound levels above 100 dB and six above 90 dB, according to the primary findings.
The noise recorded, therefore, was that of the sound systems, traditional bands, announcements made by authorities and the political parties and also that of a sea of people moving along the stretch, sometimes stopping and dancing to the tunes of the music played. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news.
Mahadwar Road was the noisiest in day time and Papachi Tickti during night, according to the report. There was high decibel noise during a short period,” Jadhav, head of the environmental science department, said. Students of Shivaji University Kolhapur (SUK), under the guidance of professors Asawari Jadhav and P D Raut of environmental science department, recorded the noise pollution levels in silent zones, commercial zones, industrial and residential zones during day time from 6am to 10pm and night time from 10pm to 6am. Along the immersion routes, traffic was prohibited and the shops were shut. “During day time traditional instruments were played, during night time the sound systems were used. There was commotion along the immersion route. The police recorded the sound levels of each mandal that used sound systems. The police are going to take action against these and others which have breached the levels. Download the TOI App.
However, police barred the use of sound systems between midnight and 6am on Saturday.
In silent zones — CPR Hospital, Court, Collector’s Office — the noise levels of 50 dB during day time and 40 dB during night time were breached. At court, 71.7 dB was recorded during day time and 70.6 dB during night time.