• 14 Jul 2017
• Mumbai
• Yesha Kotak yesha.kotak@hindustantimes.com

Noise rules in this silence zone near Lilavati hospitalMUMBAI: Even when the streets are empty, motorists crossing the Lilavati Hospital in Bandra don’t pay attention to the ‘no honking’ signs.
During the peak hours, the noise from vehicle horns soars.
The area is officially a silence zone, which means noise levels during the day should not cross 50dB and 40dB at night, according to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
But anti-noise campaigner Sumaira Abdulali, the convenor of the NGO Awaaz Foundation, reported readings of 100.9 dB on Thursday evening, at 6.30pm.
“There was no silence, even right below the no honking sign,” Abdulali said.The area also has four educational institutes.
It’s a busy, narrow street that gives motorists access to the suburbs and is busiest during the morning and evening peak hours — around 9am and between 4pm and 7pm. Dr Prahlad Prabhudesai, consultant chest physician, said they are not affected by the honking much as they are in an enclosed space, but added, “Honking affects respiratory, cardiac and autonomic nervous system.” While there are rules to penalise needless honking (section 20 of the Maharashtra Transport and Road Safety Act, 2017, says motorist can be fined Rs2,000 for honking in silence zones), residents felt they were not enforced effectively. Vidya Vaidya, a resident of the area, said the noise levels are high until 2am on some days. “Honking is as big a problem as other traffic offences, but it is not taken seriously,” she said.
“We levy fines on those violating no-honking rules and for unauthorised parking and PUC cases, to ensure there is no pollution around the hospital,” said Krishnap Ubale, police sub-inspector, Bandra division.

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Jul 14 2017 : Mirror (Mumbai)
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where Mumbaikars speak their mind
Should loudspeakers be allowed at silence zones during Ganeshotsav? 

Tejaswini Pandey Student 
No, we need not use loudspeakers in order to make ourselves audible to God.Further, the very idea of having a `silence zone' would lose its purpose if we were to make exceptions.
M Qamar Saleem Associate Professor 
As it's a big festival of the Hindus, they should be allowed but with enough limits. If they fail to follow the rules, action should be taken.
Ayushi Kenia Student 
No. Just because it's a big festival doesn't mean that you turn it into an occasion to disturb everyone around.
Adil Jehangir Bajirao Travel Professional 
Yes, it's just a few days in a year. It's a pain one can adjust with.
Niruta Bhatawdekar Social Worker No, noise pollution levels in our city are already high. Moreover, prayers are to be made in silence.
Gaurang Bookseller IT Professional
No, loudspeakers are a big nuisance to senior citizens, students, ailing persons and pregnant women. Invoke your Gods from the bottom of your heart, there is no point inconveniencing people for it. 
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You can’t relax any noise rules during Ganpati, Bombay HC tells Maharashtra stateMumbai city news: The court said the state cannot take “any adverse decision” against a previous HC judgment that says no loudspeaker can be used in a silence zone at any hour of the dayMUMBAI Updated: Jul 14, 2017 01:36 IST
Kanchan Chaudhari 
Hindustan Times
The court was hearing a PIL complaining about frequent violations of the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, especially during public celebrations of religious festivals like Ganpati.The Bombay high court on Thursday cautioned the state government against any relaxation in noise pollution rules during festivities like Ganpati and Navratri.
A division bench of justice Abhay Oka and justice Vibha Kankanwadi said the state government cannot take “any adverse decision” – decision going against the judgment of the high court that says no loudspeaker or other sound amplifier can be used in a silence zone at any hour of the day.
The court was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations filed by activists Dr. Yashwant Oke, Sumera Abdulali of Aawaz Foundation and Thane-based activist Dr. Mahesh Bedekar complaining about frequent violations of the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, especially during public celebrations of religious festivals and the inaction of authorities even if complaints were lodged.
The comment came after Abdulali’s counsel, advocate Rohaan Cama, said the state government’s move to seek rule relaxation was completely contrary to the law laid down by the high court and confirmed by the Supreme Court.
He also highlighted the need to take strict action against unnecessary honking and urged the court to order the state to undertake special drives to curb the menace.
Responding to the plea, advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni said the road transport department and the traffic police will conduct workshops for taxi drivers, including drivers of Ola and Uber cabs, and autorickshaw drivers.
Cama also said the need to issue appropriate directions to curb noise from construction sites. In this regard, the court directed the state to issue directions to all planning authorities across the state to incorporate the conditions – of adhering to provisions of the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000 – while granting permissions.
The court also directed the state to seek a report from NEERI describing the process and procedure to carry out noise mapping in 27 cities across Maharashtra, which include urban areas within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Nagpur.
Read more:
Maharashtra government wants noise norms to be relaxed during Ganpati

Will hold anti-noise workshops: StateTHE ASIAN AGE. 
Published : Jul 14, 2017, 2:39 am IST 
Updated : Jul 14, 2017, 2:38 am IST The court also informed that state has failed to stop vehicular noise pollution in Mumbai.

 The government said it would teach rickshaws and taxis how to curb noise pollution.Mumbai: The state has told the Bombay high court that the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and Mumbai traffic police will conduct workshops for the drivers of autorickshaws, taxis and app-based taxis like Ola and Uber to teach them how to curb noise pollution on the road, including avoiding unnecessary honking. The court directed the state to file an affidavit within four weeks describing steps taken to curb noise pollution in the upcoming Dahi Handi, Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri festivals.
A division bench of Justices Abhay Oka and V.V. Kankanwadi was hearing a bunch of Public Interest Litigations (PIL) filed over noise pollution in the state. The HC last year had given a comprehensive order in the PILs, and gave various directions to the state. The HC is now taking review of its directions.
The court also informed that state has failed to stop vehicular noise pollution in Mumbai, and drivers are still found honking unnecessarily on the road. In response, advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni informed the court that the RTO and traffic police would conduct workshops to create awareness about noise pollution rules and the effect of noise pollution caused by vehicles. He also said the RTO and local traffic divisions are told to take action against drivers who unnecessarily honk on the road.
The court was also informed by the lawyer of Awaaz Foundation, which has worked to battle noise pollution, that despite the high court order the state government has not created a toll free number to register complaints regarding noise pollution. The state government admitted it had not, and the court directed the state to create the toll free number before the festivals commence.
The court further said that despite court order that nobody can do construction work between 10 pm and 6 am, the order is not being followed by anyone and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is also not taking any action over it. 

Set up noise complaint system before festivals: HC to Maha​
​DNA CORRESPONDENT | Fri, 14 Jul 2017-07:30am , DNA
The police will conduct awareness workshops on the harms of noise pollution 
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to immediately set up a grievance redressal mechanism, before the festive season begins. Citizens should be able to complain about violation of noise pollution rules via email, telephone calls, and text messages.
The division bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Vibha Kankanwadi said, "The state government should file an affidavit stating the steps taken by August 11." The court gave the direction after advocate Rohan Cama, appearing for Awaaz Foundation, complained that the government has not acted on the directions given by the court in August 2016. Not even a toll free number has been allotted.
The State said that the Regional Transport Authority and Traffic police would be conducting awareness workshops for public transport drivers.
Petitioners also raised the issue of the State writing to the Centre, asking it to relax noise rules during festivals. The bench reminded the government and other political parties that the Special Leave petition filed by the government against the High Court order, asking for proper implementation of noise rules, has been rejected by the Supreme Court and by the bench headed by the Chief Justice of India. Further, the High Court is regularly monitoring the implementation thus the government is well aware of the adverse implications if the order is not followed.
Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni tendered the minutes of a meeting between him and senior police officials, where it was decided that the police will: 1) Implement a drive to curb rash driving. 2) Conduct awareness workshops among school/college children about the harmful effects of high noise levels. All deputy commissioners of police will have to file a monthly report about the steps taken.
SILENCE IS GOLDEN

• Petitioners complained that the government had not acted on directions given by the HC in August 2016
• They also raised the issue of the State writing to the Centre asking it to relax noise levels during festivals

HC TO STATE: NO CHOICE, IMPLEMENT NOISE RULES FOR GANPATI FESTIVAL
Mumbai Mirror | Updated: Jul 14, 2017, 03.29 AM IST
Bench was told that state had planned to approach Centre, seeking relaxation of norms.

The state government, which was planning to relax noise pollution rules for Ganeshotsav and Navratri festivals this year, will instead have to properly implement the same, the Bombay High Court made it clear on Thursday.

A division bench of Justice AS Oka and Justice VV Kankanwadi, while hearing a bunch of public interest litigations on the issue, was informed about the state government’s decision to approach the Centre, seeking relaxation in loudspeaker rules for the forthcoming festivals.

Pouring cold water on the administration’s plans, the High Court observed that the state government had no choice but to follow its directions to not allow loudspeakers in silence zones on any day of the year, as it has failed in its challenge before the Supreme Court.

“Let us remind all the politicians and the government that the Supreme Court has already dismissed the petition that challenged this court’s orders. The SC has upheld this court’s judgment. Now the Apex Court is monitoring this, so you (government) have no other option but to implement this court’s orders or else you are aware about the implications,” the bench observed after hearing the submissions.

The HC order was issued last year.

The court was told that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had met representatives of certain Ganpati mandals and reportedly assured them of relaxations in use of loudspeakers. The mandals are said to have sought the relaxation as 80 per cent of them fall in silence zones.

The court was further informed that despite its orders, the state government has not created any toll-free and WhatsApp numbers for registration of noise pollution-related complaints.

The bench directed the government to ensure that all preparations for effective implementation of the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, are in place before the festive season. It further directed the state to create the toll-free and WhatsApp numbers.

The petitioners also informed the HC that state has failed to check vehicular noise pollution. On a query from the court, Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni submitted that the Regional Transport Officers as well as Traffic Police would conduct workshops to sensitise the drivers of taxis, auto-rickshaws as well as Ola and Uber cabs against unnecessary honking.

​Bombay HC to state: Ensure grievance redressal mechanism in place before festivities
Bombay HC to state: Ensure grievance redressal mechanism in place before festivitiesThe court directed the corporations to take steps under the existing rules and regulations and said that the state government should issue directions to them if the prevelant regulations did not empower the civic bodies to do so.Written by Kajol Runwal | Mumbai | Published:July 14, 2017 12:13 am

The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the state government to ensure that a grievance redressal mechanism to address complaints pertaining to noise pollution rule violations is created before the onset of the festival season.
The court emphasised that the government would face implications for non-compliance with court orders relating to noise pollution, especially with the Apex Court also having confirmed the high court orders in this regard.
A division bench headed by Justice A S Oka was hearing a bunch of petitions pertaining to violation of noise pollution rules, especially during festivals.
Appearing for Awaaz Foundation, advocate Rohit Cama said none of the toll-free numbers for residents to lodge complaints were operational.
Other issues that were raised were related to noise because of construction and traffic.
The court directed the corporations to take steps under the existing rules and regulations and said that the state government should issue directions to them if the prevelant regulations did not empower the civic bodies to do so.

In terms of noise created by honking, the state had earlier informed the court that it was awaiting presidential assent for implementation of provisions under the Maharashtra Transport and Road Safety Act, 2017, which penalises people for honking needlessly. The penalty for honking will go up from the current Rs 100 to Rs 2,000.
Advocate General A Kumbhakoni informed the court that the government was holding special drives to increase awareness in this regard and those covered under the drive include app-based cab services.
He added that all reports pertaining to implementation of noise pollution rules would be provided to him on the fifth of every month from various departments.
With regard to noise mapping in 27 cities across the state, Cama expressed his reservation on the way it was being carried out. The court then sought a report from the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), that is supposed to conduct the study. “The NEERI should submit its report pertaining to the process and procedure followed by it,” said Justice Oka.
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