1.8 thousand noise meters to keep check on Christmas festivities

Mumbai: The state government on Friday informed the Bombay high court that it has procured 1,843 noise decibel meters and distributed these to all the police stations in the state. The state also assured the court that it will curb noise pollution during Christmas and New Year celebrations this year with the help of these noise meters, and would submit a compliance report for the same on the next date of hearing.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai was hearing a contempt notice that the court has issued against the additional chief secretary of the home department (retired), K.P. Bakshi, for failing to procure 1,843 noise decibel meters within the stipulated time. During the last hearing, the HC had directed Mr Bakshi to appear before it and warned that it would sentence Mr Bakshi during the next hearing.

But on Friday, the court did not award any sentence to him after hearing that the state has already followed the court order and is ready to curb noise pollution during Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations. On Friday, special public prosecutor Ashutosh Kumbhakoni informed the court, “Training on how to use the decibel meters has also been given to the police officials concerned. The authorities would ensure that there is no violation of noise pollution norms on December 25 and 31.”

Mr Kumbhakoni further said the government would file a compliance report on the next date of hearing. “If the court is not satisfied with the compliance report, then it can go ahead with the sentencing. We will not ask the court to show leniency then,” he said.

The petitioner’s lawyer told to the court that speakers that disc jockeys (DJs) play music from create a lot of noise, which is unbearable for the common people.