HC sets norms for Maha to implement noise pollution rules

Mumbai, Aug 16 (PTI) The Bombay High Court today directedthe Maharashtra government to curb noise pollution resultingfrom religious festivities, road traffic and constructionactivities in major cities, observing that the state hasfailed to implement rules in this regard. The ruling was delivered by a bench headed by JusticeAbhay Oka which was hearing a bunch of public interestlitigations alleging violation of noise pollution rules andencroachment by pandals on roads during religious festivals. The bench asked the Maharashtra government to informwithin three months what steps it proposes to take to curbnoise pollution in the state. It also asked the state government to direct the planningauthorities at all levels to ensure that quality of life andambient air standard is maintained while preparing thedevelopment plans in various areas and the Regional TownPlanning Act. The high court directed the state government to undertake’noise mapping’ in all the major cities and ensure that thedata collected from this exercise is used in preparingdevelopment plans in different areas of the state. The bench also asked the state to take action againstthose authorities which fail to take prompt action onreceiving complaints about violation of noise pollution rules. "Failure to take action will lead to violation of libertyenshrined under article 21 of the Constitution (Right toEquality)," the bench observed. The court also observed that the state government hadfailed to implement noise pollution rules in the state andviolation of norms was more rampant during religiousfestivals. Further, the judges said the government did not follow inletter and spirit the orders passed by the high court in thisregard earlier. The bench also asked the municipal commissioners of civicbodies and Police Commissioners of major cities to formulate agrievance redressal mechanism for noise pollution rules, ifnot already done. The judges asked the state to give adequate publicity tothe grievance redressal mechanism before the onset ofreligious festivals such as Ganeshotsav, Dahi Handi andDiwali. (More) PTI SVS NRBZMN