GULF NEWS

INDIAJuly 13, 2017  | Last updated 2 minutes ago 
Festival organisers want noise rules relaxedMajor parties met Fadnavis last week to seek his intervention on the matter
Published: 15:44 July 13, 2017 
Pamela Raghunath, Correspondent
 Mumbai: The BJP-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra has asked the BJP-led government at the Centre to give its nod to relax noise norms during the 10-day Ganesh festival in August.
The Sena in particular has requested Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to come out with an ordinance against the curbs imposed by the Bombay High Court on noise levels.


This is one way of bypassing the court’s directive to the state government that all police stations across Maharashtra should not issue a licence for the use of loudspeakers in ‘silence zones’ — 100 metres from schools, colleges, hospitals, courts and religious places.
But with the arrival of the Dahi Handi and Ganesh festival season, both the BJP and Sena are eager to please the various Ganesh associations or mandals which have a huge local following during the celebrations. Moreover, Ganesh festivities are an integral part of the cultural identity of Maharashtrians.
While the Sena has had a long-standing association with the mandals, the BJP too wants to patronise these popular organisation by relaxing the norms.
Both parties met Fadnavis last week to seek his intervention on the matter.
According to Kundan Agaskar of Samanvay Samiti or Coordination Committee for Ganeshotsav, “This problem has been festering for two years, but the parties did nothing and now — when the festivities are just a month away — they want to act, Nevertheless, we hope the government can pass an ordinance so that rules are relaxed during religious festivals.”
He told Gulf News, “The festival will certainly be celebrated in full gusto and we expect that rules to be eased in the use of loudspeakers — since almost all the 2,000 Ganesh mandals in crowded Mumbai are located in Silence Zones. Without a loudspeaker, there can be no festivities as we have so many religious, musical and cultural programmes with thousands of devotees as well as others participating. We have nothing against the court order but the question is, are we expected to shut down our celebrations?” he asks.
But activists who have fought hard to reduce noise levels in Mumbai and Maharashtra are not taking it lying down and have shot an emergency letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Environment Minister Harsh Vardan, “We very strongly object to the proposed relaxation of Noise Pollution Rules which ban loudspeaker use in Silence Zones by the Maharashtra State Government. We write to you in anguish, on behalf of citizens of Mumbai already suffering from the highest noise pollution levels in the world according to Central Pollution Control Board studies,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation.
In her appeal, she has also said, “The Supreme Court has clarified, in its order dated 5 October 2005 that no loudspeaker can be used within the Silence Zones at any time, and has re-iterated its orders several times. The Bombay High Court passed a comprehensive order in August 2016 and the Maharashtra state government gave an undertaking to the court that it would ensure that loudspeaker permissions are not given in Silence Zones.”

Keep Ganesh fest hushed in silent zones: Mumbai NGO writes to PM
 VIRAT A SINGH | Thu, 13 Jul 2017-10:45pm ,
Mumbai , DNA webdesk
Anti-noise pollution activists have raised a strong objection against Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's plans to relax noise pollution norms for the Ganesh utsav festival in silence zones.
City-based NGO, Awaaz Foundation has written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention. They also plan to bring the issue to the Bombay High Court's notice on Thursday during a hearing on a petition on curbing traffic noise.
Recently, Fadnavis said that the State will seek permission from the Union Environment Minister to permit loudspeakers in silence zones for the 10-day festival this year. In case the request was not processed in time, the State government will issue an Ordinance to allow it, he said.
In her letter to the PM and Union Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan. Convenor of Awaaz Foundation Sumaira Abdulali has appealed to them on behalf of the health of citizens of Mumbai to intervene against such a measure, which also violates a Statute of the Indian Parliament, the Noise Pollution Rules of the MoEFCC, and Supreme Court and Bombay High Court Orders.
“If needed, we will file a fresh petition against the State, which is contradicting its own undertaking to the Bombay High Court's 2016 order that it would ensure that loudspeaker permissions are not given in Silence Zones,” Abdulali said.

How noise pollution affects you: Noise pollution effects can be felt throughout the human body. It can affect one's hearing, mental health, cause heart disease. According to medical studies, it affects every single organ of the body. The elderly, infants and people battling health ailments are a high-risk group.
​
What are Silence Zones: Under the noise pollution rules, Silence Zones are defined as areas within 100 metres of sensitive places like hospitals, courts, educational institutions and religious places.

The Noise Rules: The Noise Rules, formulated for enforcement of decibel levels, were passed in Parliament as a part of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. The decibel level restrictions have been derived from a World Health Organisation Report “Community Noise” 1986. The report acknowledged the environmental harm caused by noise pollution and mandated the need to restrict them to within specified limits. The Noise Pollution Rules and Statute have been upheld by the Supreme Court of India as a Constitutional right of citizens to enjoy peaceful life under Article 21.

Noise pollution in Mumbai: Awaaz Foundation has been actively measuring noise emitted from various sources (loud speakers, traffic noise etc) in Mumbai since 2002. While noise pollution is a continuous hazard due to traffic and other noise sources, its peak effects are felt during the festival season when loudspeakers are often used in the sensitive areas like Silence Zones, adversely affecting the health of patients, the elderly, and infants. Studies indicate that noise levels from loudspeakers in the festival seasons including Ganesh Utsav and Eid-e-Milad, range from about 85 – 123.7dB. The NGO also found that noise levels when loudspeakers are used, are never within the statutory level required for ensuring a healthy life, specially for those who are already vulnerable.

​Jul 13 2017 : The Times of India (Mumbai)
SOS to PM over plan to ease noise norms 
Mumbai: 
TIMES NEWS NETWORK 

Following the state government's intentions to relax the noise pollution rules in silence zones during Ganeshotsav, activists have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and environment minister Harsh Vardhan to register their protest.“We very strongly object to the proposed relaxation of noise pollution rules, which ban the use of loudspeakers in silence zones by the Maharashtra government. We write to you in anguish on behalf of citizens of Mumbai already suffering from the highest noise pollution levels in the world according to Central Pollution Control Board studies,“ said Sumaira Abdulali, convener of the Awaaz Foundation.
Until 2016, the state government allowed mandals to install loudspeakers in silence zones, within permissible limits adhering to the 10pm deadline. However, the Bombay high court had ordered the state government to not give permission for loudspeakers in silence zones.
The Shiv Sena has backed the city's govinda-Ganesha outfits on the noise pollution issue. “While noise pollution is a continuous hazard due to traffic and other noise sources, its effects are felt during the festival season when loudspeakers are often used in the sensitive areas of silence zones, adversely affecting the health of patients, the elderly and infants,“ said Abdulali in her letter.
According to the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, residential and silence zones should have a maximum noise level of 55dB and 50dB in the day and 45dB and 40dB at the night.
During the last day of immersion in 2016, the area outside Opera House junction, in south Mumbai was the noisiest at 116.4 decibels (dB), for a second consecutive year.
High noise levels were experienced in Prabhadevi that recorded 114 dB, areas near the Juhu airfield logged 112.2 dB. 



Noisier Ganeshotsav, dahi handi? Maharashtra CM’s plan irks Mumbai activistsMumbai city news: The Bombay high court banned the use of loudspeakers, drums, trumpets and playing music using sound amplifiers in silence zones during festive celebrations.
​MUMBAI Updated: Jul 10, 2017 23:28 IST
Badri Chatterjee 
Hindustan Times
Noise pollution not only leads to hearing loss but also can damage other organs and cause cardiac ailments, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).(Hindustan Times)Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ promise of diluting noise norms for Ganeshotsav and dahi handi celebrations has irked noise activists.
Members of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), umbrella body of Ganesh mandals in the city, said on Thursday that Fadnavis promised there won’t be any restrictions this year. “We requested the CM to allow use of loudspeakers in silence zones and raise the height of human pyramids for dahi handi. We want the radius of silence zones to be reduced from 100m to 10m, so festivals can be celebrated without any hindrance,” said Naresh Dahibhavkar, president, BSGSS.
Dahibhavkar said the CM told them an amendment on noise rules can’t be issued as Ganeshotav is just 50 days away. “The state has requested the Centre to look into the matter. If they fail to make changes, the CM promised the state environment department would issue an ordinance to dilute noise norms.”
The Bombay high court, in its order last year, banned the use of loudspeakers, drums, trumpets and playing music using sound amplifiers in silence zones during festive celebrations.
Read more: Noise pollution: Mumbai began to quiet down in 2016
In August 2016, the Supreme Court upheld an HC order on banning those under 18 from dahi handi pyramids and restricting the height of pyramids to 20ft. “While 500-600 people used to get injured every year during dahi handi, after the SC order, only nine people were injured last year. The state can’t take such a risk. They are only consoling the mandals. We don’t expect any ordinance in violation of court orders,” said Swati Patil, secretary of Utkarsh Mahila Samajik Sanstha, who filed the petition.
Noise pollution not only leads to hearing loss but also can damage other organs and cause cardiac ailments, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Anti-noise activists said the move shows lack of concern. “The state is using its power to suppress people’s genuine concerns, instead of protecting their health. We have been fighting for it for almost two decades and everyone - from slum dwellers to the elite class in Mumbai - has support us,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation. “Last year, the environment secretary and the Mumbai police commissioner thanked citizens for celebrating a quiet festival. The government move is extremely disappointing.”
“The state does not have the power to issue such an ordinance. Noise norms are framed by the Centre. Whenever the state has approached the Centre in such matters, they have been turned down. I hope good sense prevails and the CM rethinks his stand,” said Ashok Ravat, Shivaji Park resident, who filed a petition that made the area a silence zone.

HINDUSTANI TIMES

​Louder ambulance sirens can kill patients in Mumbai, say activistsMumbai city news: Officials from the state environment ministry said no changes can be made to the order nowMUMBAI Updated: Jul 08, 2017 09:57 IST
Badri Chatterjee 
Hindustan Times
Traffic experts said louder sirens will not help ambulances reach their destination faster.(HT FILE)
Anti-noise activists have objected to the state government’s recent decision to increase decibel levels for ambulance sirens to 110 to 120 decibel from the existing limit of 65 to 75 decibels. They said this move can make ambulance sirens as loud as a thunderclap, sound of a chain saw or that of a packed sports stadium. 
In a letter to the state environment minister and the ministry, Awaaz Foundation, an NGO, quoted international studies that indicate that it is unsafe for even healthy people to be exposed to 120dB for more than seven seconds. “It is far more dangerous for critically-ill patients to be exposed to such high noise levels,” said Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation. “Exposure to such dangerously high noise in rickety ambulances without any sound insulation through the packed Mumbai traffic could even result in death of a patient struggling to receive medical care.”
Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 are based on the World Health Organization Report on ‘Community Noise’, which states that areas around hospitals should be defined as silence zones. 
Abdulali added that the noise is hazardous to the safety of patients inside the ambulance, to patients in hospitals and other silence zones along roads. “Noise adds to stress levels. It is dangerous to residents, including elderly people and children in areas from where the ambulance passes,” said Abdulali. 
Officials from the state environment ministry said no changes can be made to the order now. “High noise levels are being used to get a person to a hospital faster. Since the vehicle is sealed, the sound levels inside the vehicle will be much lower than outside,” said Satish Gavai, additional chief secretary, state environment department. “ Modifications cannot be made to this anymore.”
Traffic experts said louder sirens will not help ambulances reach their destination faster. Ambulances are delayed by congested and narrow roads in the city and even if other motorists want ambulances to get their right of way, there will be delay. “The idea must have been for commuters to get alerted or actually irritated to give way to the ambulance but while this measure would have worked in other cities, it is useless for Mumbai,” said Ashok Datar, founder, Mumbai Environmental Social Network. 

GULF NEWS
INDIAJuly 8, 2017  | Last updated 49 minutes ago 
Order gives ambulances right to make more noise in Mumbai
​Residents are not happy and feel that traffic police should enforce proper rules
Published: 17:45 July 7, 2017 
Pamela Raghunath, Correspondent
 Mumbai: A notification by the Maharashtra Government allowing ambulances to blow the sirens louder so as to navigate through traffic has met with disapproval from both Mumbaikars and activists.
The government’s notification on Thursday allows a maximum level of 120 decibels (dB) for ambulance sirens so that traffic police can notice them and clear the way quickly.


“Ambulances in the state have siren audibility of about 65-75db,” said Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena youth leader and son of party president Uddhav Thackeray.
“Due to low audibility, sometimes traffic police can’t hear the siren and don’t clear the traffic to let the ambulance pass. We have written to the Transport Minister Diwakar Raote and Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam demanding of rules,” he said.
But Mumbaikars are not happy and feel that traffic police should enforce proper rules for motorists to give way when an ambulance is rushing to a hospital. Ambulance drivers are often seen trying hard to make their way ahead as the roads are chock-a-block with vehicles.
“We are living in a city where noise levels are going up every day—be it building construction or road work or heavy traffic when motorists honk continuously,” says a retired teacher and grandmother, Geeta Sharma. “Screeching ambulances add to the noise levels and even my granddaughter wakes up with a start when an ambulance rushes past near our home to a nearby hospital.
And environmental activist Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation, who has been fighting against noise pollution for years, is disturbed by the notification and has strongly objected to it.
In a letter to Kadam, she wrote, “We appeal to you, on behalf of critically ill patients using ambulances as transport to hospital to consider the ill effects of intolerable noise levels. We also appeal on behalf of other residents of Mumbai whose health would be jeopardized by such high noise levels on our streets.”
She has also pointed that 120 dB is a dangerous level to the safety of the patient inside the ambulance and to the hospitals and other Silence Zones placed along roadsides. She says that most ambulances in Mumbai, unlike those in the US and UK, do not have any sound insulation.
“International studies indicate that it is unsafe even for healthy people to be exposed to 120db of sound for more than 7 seconds…
“The Indian Noise Pollution Rules are based on the World Health Organisation Report “Community Noise” which states that areas around hospitals should be defined as Silence Zones so that patients are not exposed to noise pollution over 50dB in the day time and 40 dB in the nighttime.
“Awaaz Foundation has measured noise levels from sirens in London and Mumbai. The measurements in Mumbai were carried out along with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in 2014 and maximum decibel level was 100dB. The measurement in London were carried out in May 2017 and maximum decibel level was 94 dB.” She has appealed to the minister to withdraw the proposal immediately.