Mumbai: NGO Awaaz Foundation has claimed that a Dahi Handi event organised in Bandra by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Mumbai president, Ashish Shelar, was the only case where noise pollution norms were flouted in the city.
According to the NGO, loudspeakers were blaring at 113 decibels at Mr Shelar’s event, against the limit of 55 decibels — which was set by the National Green Tribunal.
The foundation stated that while most Dahi Handi organisers did not put up loudspeakers on Tuesday, individual troupes were guilty of breaching the noise limit in residential areas, due to which sound levels climbed as high as 101 decibels in some places during the celebrations.
According to Awaaz Foundation founder Sumaira Abdulali, most Dahi Handi organisers in the city and parts of the western suburbs had avoided the use of loudspeakers regardless of whether the celebrations were being held in silence or residential zones, which was very commendable. “Dahi Handi this year has been celebrated with the cooperation of almost everyone (with an exception), including event organisers, political parties, the police and citizens. This represents a major positive change in the way festivals may be celebrated without using loudspeakers,” she said.
She said that she had been visiting the prominent Dahi Handi venues since morning and had found that the Dahi Handi organised by Shelar at Hill Road just a few meters from Bandra police station had been playing blaring music.
Mr Shelar, however, refuted the allegations saying, “My photograph is used by almost all mandals. It does not mean that I am responsible for all of them.”
Senior police inspector, Bandra police station, Pandit Thackray said, “No case has been registered in connection with Dahi Handi yet.”
