Pune : Lawyer files petition in Bombay High Court against loud noise 

A Bombay High Court lawyer Yogesh Fulchand Pande has filed a writ petition in Bombay High Court against failure by authorities to regulate & control excessive loud noise during Ganesh Festival in Pune due to which Yogesh Pande had suffered hearing loss. 

The Bombay High Court has issued notice to the respondents – The State of Maharashtra, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Pune District Collector, Pune Police Commissioner, Pune Municipal Commissioner (PMC) & Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) – regarding the same.

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Adv Yogesh Fulchand Pande, Lawyer in Bombay High Court & the petitioner, said “The noise decibels had gone much higher during Ganesh Festival in Pune in 2023 due to which people have to face a lot of issues. I had suffered hearing loss due to this as I wasn’t able to hear anything for 2 weeks from one ear. Hence, I decided to take a stand against this. Due to loud noises, some people had lost their life as well. The authorities, responsible for inspecting & taking action against loud noises, do not take serious cognizance of this, mostly due to political pressure. The Pollution Control Board doesn’t have a proper mechanism in place for keeping a check on sound levels & pollution. The authorities just keep shouldering responsibilities upon one another. The Pollution Control Board states that the police must look into this & the police says that pollution control board must look into this. PMC, District Collector etc have the same approach towards this.”

Yogesh Pande further added “Previously, the High Court had given directives of sound levels & their limits. But these aren’t followed. The Bombay High Court has accepted our petition & issued notices to the respondents. Now, the respondents will have to present their side & provide details about action taken etc which will come on record.”

Speaking to Pune Pulse, Adv Vilas Tapkir, Lawyer of Yogesh Pande, said “Yogesh Pande, who himself is an advocate practicing in Bombay High Court, was going from a road during Ganesh Festival in 2023. Loud noises were there from huge speakers at that time due to which he suffered hearing loss & had to take treatment. He had informed about this to the relevant authorities, respondents in this petition, but no cognizance was taken & no response was there.”

Vilas Tapkir further added “We have a law Noise Act, 1951 in which rules were framed in the year 2000 known as Noise Pollution Rules. In 2005, the Supreme Court had given guidelines related to noise pollution. An order was passed in 2016 in Bombay High Court in which these guidelines are there. The government has even issued a GR based on the guidelines. In spite of the Act, Rules, SC order, HC order etc, nothing is followed at all. Sound levels till 75 decibels are permitted in public places.”

Vilas Tapkir further said “During Ganesh Festival in Pune in 2023, sound levels had gone up to 200 to 250 decibels & more than that. News about several people dying due to loud noises in Pune was also there. Still, no rules were being followed regarding sound levels. Hence, the petition is filed in Bombay High Court. Hopefully, after this, all the rules & laws regarding sound levels will be strictly monitored & followed so no mishaps or any rule-breaking will happen during the next Ganesh Festivals.”

As per further information from the HC order, notices have been issued to the respondents & the next hearing of the petition is on 11^th March 2024.

Shreyas Vange