Maha govt has failed to implement noise pollution rules: HC

The Bombay High Court today said the Maharashtra government has failed to implement noise pollution rules in the state and violation of norms is more rampant during religious festivals.
Further, the government did not follow in letter and spirit the orders passed by the high court in this regard earlier, said the judges.
The observations came as the division bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka started dictating the judgement on PILs on violation of noise pollution rules and encroachment by pandals on roads during the religious festivals.
The petitions have been filed by Thane resident Mahesh Bedekar, Awaz Foundation and others. The court would continue the dictation of judgement tomorrow.

The civic authorities which are supposed to implement the rules are not supported by political bosses, which hampers effective implementation, it noted.
The rules have been enacted for the people of every religion and no religion demands or advocates use of loudspeakers during the festivals, said the court.
At the last hearing, Government Pleader Abhinandan Vagyani had informed that the government had ordered 1,843 noise meters for effective implementation of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and they would be available by August-end.
During the hearing, the HC had cited a Supreme Court judgement to state that freedom to practise religion does not extend to "any and every place".