MNS to be booked for noise pollution

The Mumbai Police will be filing a complaint against the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for allegedly flouting rules concerning noise pollution. The party, which held a rally on the occasion of Gudi Padwa in Shjvaji Park, is said to have recorded noise beyond permissible decible levels.

Speaking to The Asian Age, DCP zone 5, Mahesh Patil said that they had violated provisions under the environment protection act. “The offence committed is not under the Indian Penal code but under the EP Act and hence we will be filing a complaint in court as opposed to registering an FIR against them,” he said. “Before filing the complaint we collect evidence regarding decibel levels before, during and after the rally and submit the same with the complaint,” he added.

The Shjvaji Park police, which was monitoring the noise levels in the grounds has decided to take suo moto action in the matter. Sources revealed that the rally recorded a reading of 111db, over 60 points higher than the prescribed limits.

“The permissible limit for the area is 45db and our readings have shown a clear violation. The normal limit in the area during peak traffic hours is about 50- 60 db and this was even higher than that,” said a senior police officer at the Shjvaji Park police station. Police sources also added that they would be taking note of readings recorded by organisations like the Awaaz Foundation to build a stronger case. “They have flouted all the rules under the noise Pollution Rules 2000 and we are going to take action,” he said. The officer informed that action would be in the form of non reimbursement of the deposit amount the party had given to the BMC to avail permission for the rally.

Residents around Shivaji Park, which has been declared a silent zone were angry that the party had been given permission to hold the rally.

According to Sumaira Abdulali, founder of Awaaz Foundation that monitors noise pollution in the city, the organisers did not adhere to any of the promises made to the court. “The rally had drum and cymbal processions surrounding the area of the park and this itself saw a decibel reading of 119.4,” Ms Abdulali said. According to her readings, Raj Thackeray’s speech recorded 80.1 dB, organiser Nitin Sardesai’s recorded 85.2 dB and the highest was recorded by Sharad Sonawane at 86 dB.