What has state govt done to curb noise pollution, asks HC

The Bombay high court on Tuesday directed the principal secretary of Maharashtra's home department and the director-general of police to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to comply with the high court's directions regarding illegal loudspeakers.

- Prateem Rohanekar

MUMBAI:

A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar was hearing a contempt petition filed by Navi Mumbai resident Santosh Pachlag, alleging non-compliance with the HC's directives against loudspeakers issued in August 2016.

Pachlag's advocate, Deendayal Dhanure, told the court that the government was aware of at least 2,940 illegal loudspeakers based on the government's response to an RTI application by Pachlag in 2019.

He added that nearly 37 directions were earlier issued by the court in a 2016 judgment dealing with noise pollution.

The court had in 2016 observed that it was the duty of local authorities to curb noise pollution as a parameter of quality of life while planning developmental activity or carrying out planning functions.

It added that noise-mapping data could immensely help in carrying out the function.