Implement noise regulation rules & remove illegal pandals: HC

The Bombay High Court today directed all the municipal bodies in Maharashtra to remove illegal pandals that may come up on roads or footpaths during the forthcoming Navratri and Diwali festivals.
The court also asked the authorities to take action against noise pollution offenders during these festivals.
The bench of justices Abhay Oka and V L Achilya directed the civic bodies to file separate affidavits by November 21, detailing what steps they had taken to remove illegal pandals and book guilty for the noise pollution during the festivals.
It was hearing a bunch of PILs on the issue of illegal pandals set up across the state during dahi handi and Ganesh festivals with noise pollution rules allegedly flouted and inaction by the authorities.

In order to ensure compliance, the high court has posted the matter for further hearing on December 3.
On going through the affidavits filed by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies, the bench observed that there was complete failure on the part of the state to take action in terms of noise pollution rules in the just-concluded festivals, such as dahi handi and Ganeshotsav.

The judges observed that the revenue officers did not conduct a proper survey (of illegal pandals) and hence teams were not formed for this purpose. Therefore, the officers could not give their reports (about illegal pandals) to the municipal bodies and hence action was not taken against the guilty.

The bench also remarked that there was total failure on the part of state in implementing noise pollution rules.
The bench today cautioned civic bodies and the state to be vigilant during the forthcoming festivals and ensure that court orders are implemented strictly in regard to removal of illegal pandals and violation of noise pollution rules.
The judges asked the civic bodies to ensure that the orders of high court were taken to its logical end by strictly enforcing rules regarding pandals and noise pollution.
The court observed that the Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai had discretionary powers to grant permission for setting up pandals but if any illegality is found then such an organisation may be debarred by the civic body from putting up pandals in future.