4 hrs ago
Pune Forum Blames Authorities For Ganesh Visarjan Noise Pollution
A group in Pune said festival processions were too loud during Ganesh Visarjan.
The group blamed police and city officials for not stopping the noise.
It said people complained, but the sound sometimes continued.
A doctor explained that very loud noise can disturb sleep and cause stress.
Long-term exposure may also affect blood pressure and heart health.
The group said noise rules should apply all year, not just during one festival.
It also said the rules should apply equally to religious, political and other public events.
The group wants authorities to act quickly and publish information about violations.
The Punekars Against Loudspeakers Forum blamed senior police and civic officials for noise pollution during this year’s Ganesh Visarjan.
The forum said repeated citizen complaints about excessive noise did not consistently lead to immediate enforcement action.
Dr Kalyani Mandke called for authorities to apologise and implement noise regulations throughout the year.
Dr Rahul Sawant warned that prolonged excessive noise can affect sleep, stress levels, blood pressure and heart health.
The forum demanded uniform decibel-limit enforcement, equipment seizures, public violation data and a permanent loudspeaker regulatory mechanism.
- Who
- The Punekars Against Loudspeakers Forum, including Dr Kalyani Mandke, Dr Rahul Sawant and Mukund Kirdat, made the allegations.
- What
- The forum blamed police and civic authorities for excessive noise during Ganesh Visarjan and demanded stronger enforcement of noise rules.
- Where
- Pune, Maharashtra.
- When
- The allegations were made at a press conference on Thursday, following this year’s Ganesh Visarjan.
- Why
- The forum said repeated complaints about excessive noise did not consistently result in immediate action by authorities.
Key facts
- Complainant
- Punekars Against Loudspeakers Forum
- Festival event
- Ganesh Visarjan
- Officials blamed
- Pune Police Commissioner, Pune District Collector, Pune Municipal Corporation Mayor and Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner
- Health concerns
- Stress, sleep disturbance, blood-pressure effects and heart-disease risks associated with prolonged excessive noise
- Legal framework cited
- Noise Pollution Rules, 2000
- Requested enforcement
- Strict decibel limits, immediate complaint action, equipment seizure and transparent violation data
- Long-term demand
- A permanent regulatory mechanism for loudspeakers
Quotes
Dr Kalyani Mandke
Forum representative who addressed the press conference
“People were calling the police and PMC and informing them about excessive noise, but in many instances the sound continued. This raises an important question — if citizens are making complaints and informing the authorities in real time, what mechanism is being used to ensure immediate action?”
freepressjournal.in
“For whatever had happened during Ganesh Visarjan, the Pune Police Commissioner, Pune District Collector, PMC Mayor and PMC Commissioner are responsible for the noise pollution that occurred during the Visarjan this year. They should apologise to Punekars.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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