Noise pollution: peeved HC summons ACPs of major cities

Irked by the police's failure to take action against organisations and pandals which flouted noise pollution norms during recent Navratri and Diwali festivals, the Bombay High Court today summoned the Assistant Commissioners of Police of all major cities in Maharashtra.
A division bench, headed by Justice A S Oka, was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Thane resident Mahesh Bedekar which raises concerns over blatant violation of noise pollution rules and norms during the festivals.
The state government told the HC today that 14 cases were filed in Mumbai against various pandals, but not anywhere else in the state.

At the last hearing, city-based NGO Awaaz Foundation had submitted decibel level recordings taken from various areas which showed violation of noise level norms.
"Are your (police) officers deaf? How come no FIR has been filed anywhere except in Mumbai?" Justice Oka asked.
The court then directed ACPs across the state to appear before it on December 15.
The court, also hearing the issue of illegal pandals erected during the festivals, has summoned the concerned revenue officers next week.
"We had directed the local revenue officers to conduct survey of their areas and submit report to the local civic body commissioners on the issue of illegal pandals but it has not been done," the court said.