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​Activists frown upon cops over noise pollution

9/8/2015

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http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-activists-frown-upon-cops-over-noise-pollution-2122903

Home »  News »  India »  Mumbai

​
Activists frown upon cops over noise pollution
Tuesday, 8 September 2015 - 7:55am IST | Agency: dna | From the print edition 
  • Virat A Singh

Activists, who measured sound levels across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai on Sunday's Gokulashtami as a trial run to see not only the preparedness but also to test the implementation by police, were only dejected to find decibel levels being violated.
  • Various Govinda teams at Magathane Ground in Borivli for Dahi Handi celebrations on Sunday  Aadesh Choudhari  dna
Activists working on regulation of noise pollution are miffed at the authorities for making no efforts to ensure implementation of directives passed by the Bombay High Court regarding the issue.

Activists are irked that with barely 10 days for Ganesh Utsav remaining, no numbers have been publicised by the state government accordance with court orders to receive complaints from citizens. The police department is responsible for keeping the decibel level in check. Rules demand that every police station should have decibel metres at their disposal.

Activists, who measured sound levels across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai on Sunday's Gokulashtami as a trial run to see not only the preparedness but also to test the implementation by police, were only dejected to find decibel levels being violated.

"Bombay High Court had directed that there has to be a dedicated toll-free number and email id on which people can register complaints regarding noise pollution and also an SMS kind of facility where they receive an immediate feedback as well as the complaint registration number. But Mumbai police did not make any such provisions for Gokulashtami and people were forced to use the police control room (100) number that should not ideally be used for making these complaints," said Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of Awaaz Foundation. She added that only Navi Mumbai police gave out mobile numbers of policemen for complaining about noise pollution and also numbers to contact in case the complaints were addressed.

Abdulali said that the high court has not given an option to the state government but directed it to implement various orders so that citizens do not suffer. But the police, according to her, still seems clueless. They were not seen using decibel meters to check the noise levels during the events. "I will write to the chief minister reminding him about a dedicated number. It has to be publicised before Ganesh Utsav for Mumbaikars. If Navi Mumbai can do it, then others can do it too," she said.

Thane resident Dr Mahesh Bedekar, who has filed a public interest litigation raising concern over the nuisance created by various organisers of religious festivals regarding noise pollution and erection of pandals on streets and footpaths, said: "In fact, Thane police had come up with some number a month ago but they did not publicise it. So, no one in Thane knew where to complain."

Bedekar informed that they would bring all this to light in court during the next hearing. "We do not want to give up hope. But it's sad. The attitude remains the same and irrespective of all the orders, the ground realities will not change. The common man will keep suffering from noise pollution," he added.

Dipesh Tank, a resident of Malad, said that there should be some sort of a complaint redressal mechanism where one can complain. "Most of the people have no idea where to lodge complaints and call up Mumbai police control room. During the noisy festivals, it's extremely difficult to get across to them and there is no guarantee that the complaints will be taken seriously."

When asked whether the police department has a dedicated website to cater to noise pollution related complaints, deputy commissioner of police and Mumbai police spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni said, "Existing facilities available with the police department are sufficient. We have a few dedicated helplines for senior citizens and women. Apart from that we also have 100, which is the main police control room number on which any nature of complaint or information, including non cognisable, can be shared and we give immediately feedback on the complaints. Also, online complaints can be lodged and information in this regard is available on the Mumbai police's website."



©2015 Diligent Media Corporation Ltd.
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Noise pollution: Activists call on citizens to post norm violation details on Facebook page

9/8/2015

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http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-noise-pollution-activists-call-on-citizens-to-post-norm-violation-details-on-facebook-page-2122934

Home »  News »  India »  Mumbai
Noise pollution: Activists call on citizens to post norm violation details on Facebook page
Tuesday, 8 September 2015 - 8:30am IST | Agency: dna | From the print edition 
  • Virat A Singh

During festivals, every citizen can map noise levels in his/her area and, if there is any violation, not only report it, but also post it on the Citizens' Noise Map page with date, time, decibel level details. 
  • A screen grab of Citizens’ noise map Facebook page 
Tired of a noisy procession or a DJ playing loud music at a function nearby? Noise pollution activists have called on the public to fight back using some basic apps and lodge a complaint with the police and also post it on a social media page created for this purpose.

"We have created a Facebook page called Citizens' Noise Map; we want people to start using it actively. There is no need to buy any sound measuring device, all one has to do is download a simple app, like noise meter, on their smartphones and record the levels. If found high, they should lodge a complaint with the police and also post it on this page," said Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of Awaaz Foundation that has been fighting against noise pollution.

During festivals, every citizen can map noise levels in his/her area and, if there is any violation, not only report it, but also post it on this page with date, time, decibel level details. "We are fighting for a dedicated toll-free number, where citizens can lodge complaints specific to noise pollution. Even though the Bombay High Court has asked for this to be made available, it's yet to be done. But people should complain to either the local police station or the control room till then," suggested Abdulali.

Besides location and source of noise, citizens have also been asked to post if any action was taken by the police on the complaint. "It will help us document the noise levels as well as the response, so that we can put it in front of the HC that is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on noise pollution during festivals. These details will help us strengthen our case to ask for stricter implementation and point out loopholes," said Dr Mahesh Bedekar, who runs a hospital in Thane, and has filed the PIL.

According to activists fighting for strict implementation of noise pollution norms, construction work, loudspeakers during festivals and honking have been identified as the major contributors to noise pollution in Mumbai.

Noise pollution not only causes hearing loss and ringing in the ears, but is also known to affect attention span, and cause stress, anxiety and even hypertension as well as cardiovascular problems.



©2015 Diligent Media Corporation Ltd.
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Fewer events, not adherence to norms, makes Dahi Handi a less noisy affair

9/8/2015

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http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-fewer-events-not-adherence-to-norms-makes-dahi-handi-a-less-noisy-affair-2122928

Home »  News »  India »  Mumbai
Fewer events, not adherence to norms, makes Dahi Handi a less noisy affair
Tuesday, 8 September 2015 - 8:25am IST | Agency: dna | From the print edition
  • Virat A Singh

"In Mumbai, we found the highest decibel levels of 105dB and 100dB during evening, in Khar and where drums were used besides loudspeakers at Worli Naka. 
  • Mumbai saw the highest decibel levels recorded, say activists 

Out with decibel meters in hand, anti-noise pollution activists on Sunday were pleasantly surprised to note that levels this Gokulashtami were lower than those recorded last year. It was, however, more because of the number of Dahi Handievents being less than people following the norms laid out for noise levels.

"In Mumbai, we found the highest decibel levels of 105dB and 100dB during evening, in Khar and where drums were used besides loudspeakers at Worli Naka. Both these functions were organised by political parties, as were almost all events using loudspeakers. Also, the height restriction on human pyramids too was violated at functions organised by political parties, with children seen on the top tiers," said Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of Awaaz Foundation, adding that noise pollution levels were monitored by Dr Mahesh Bedekar in Thane and activist Ajay Marathe in Navi Mumbai.


"In Thane, there were a lot of violations as most events were organised by local politicians; hence, even the police were mere spectators. At Jambhali Naka, the road towards station was completely blocked and noise recorded was around 90dB, while at Tembhi Naka, the road towards Thane Civil Hospital was blocked and two mandaps were erected. At Sankalp, the approach road was blocked, with the mandap covering more than half of it," said Bedekar, who has filed a public interest litigation on noise pollution during festivals and also raised the issue of pandals erected by organisers without requisite permission from the Bombay High Court.

Marathe said that normally Dahi Handi is a grand affair in Navi Mumbai, but, it seems, due to the NCP backing out there were hardly any events to be seen. "I travelled from Airoli to Belapur, covering most parts of Navi Mumbai, but did not find any major violations. The credit also goes to the Navi Mumbai police, especially Vashi police station that put up numbers of senior police officers from the anti-noise pollution cell," said Marathe.

Andheri resident Rajesh Sharma said, "This year, the fanfare was far less than previous years, and yet, at certain locations, there was problems because the organisers had placed huge speakers. I hope that due to fear of the HC order, Ganesh mandals follow noise level norms."


©2015 Diligent Media Corporation Ltd.
​
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Noise police on toes for Dahi Handi

9/5/2015

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​http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Noise-police-on-toes-for-Dahi-Handi/articleshow/48840068.cms

Indiatimes|The Times of India|The Economic Times|

You are here: News Home » City » Mumbai » Noise police on toes for Dahi Handi
​
Richa Pinto,TNN | Sep 5, 2015, 11.35 PM IST

MUMBAI: Citizen activists will hit the streets on Sunday to measure noise levels during Dahi Handi festival. In the past, there have been instances of mandals flouting noise norms during Dahi Handi. Hence residents from Bandra, Marine Drive and Churchgate have decided to measure noise levels in their respective areas and upload the data on a webpage called 'Citizens Noise Map' on a social networking site.

The initiative is being led by activist Sumaira Abdulali, who's Awaaz Foundation creates noise pollution awareness. Abdulali said she can measure noise levels only at a few spots and has hence asked other activists and residents to volunteer to measure the pollution in their respective areas.

"On Sunday, I will visit several Dahi Handi spots to measure the decibel levels. Some places in Thane and Navi Mumbai are being monitored by other activists. It is not possible for me to cover each and every area. I have requested certain residents' associations to measure the levels in their respective areas and upload the data on the Facebook page created by me. This will give us data of decibel levels in each area," said Abdulali, adding that these readings will help while lodging complaints.

In Bandra (W), activist Lilian Pais will monitor the noise levels at St John the Baptist Road and near Mehboob Studio. In south Mumbai, citizens from Nariman Point Churchgate Residents Association will do the job in areas like Marine Drive and Churchgate. Atul Kumar, vice-president and trustee of the association, said one can simply download an application (noise watch) on their smartphones and monitor the decibel levels. "One does not need any special gadget to monitor the decibels," said Kumar.
Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.


Copyright © 2014 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
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​Mumbai cops learn how to keep noise down during Ganeshotsav

9/3/2015

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​Mumbai cops learn how to keep noise down during Ganeshotsav
HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, Mumbai
|
Updated: Sep 03, 2015 22:11 IST
As Mumbai prepares to celebrate its favourite festival, the police have started getting trained to handle cases of noise pollution during Ganeshotsav. Anti-noise campaigners, in a bid to keep noise levels under control, trained more than 70 police personnel on Wednesday.
Representatives from 20 police stations across Navi Mumbai attended the session at the Kalamboli police headquarters.
Noise pollution rules and the Bombay high court orders that need to be implemented during the festival were discussed.
“The police personnel were enthusiastic, as we spoke to them about how noisy processions can affect the health of residents,” said Sumaira Abdulali, the convener of Awaaz foundation, which conducted the session.
Abdulali and Ajay Marathe from the NGO also got the officers familiar with the Environment Protection Act (EPA) and how to take readings on decibel metres in public places and private spaces.
“Noise levels can be recorded from anywhere, when it comes to loudspeakers in public places,” said Marathe, adding, the police were also briefed about details of various court orders, including a 2005 Supreme Court order that said loudspeakers cannot be used after 10pm.
“We learnt how to record decibel levels and cleared doubts about carrying out investigations in such cases,” said Atish Wagh, assistant police inspector, Navi Mumbai police training centre.
 
Wagh said this year, the police will get tough on mandals flouting noise rules.
“If caught, mandals will get 60 days to respond and if their response is not satisfactory, an FIR will be filed against the mandal owners.”
Tags
Ganeshotsav
Noise pollution during Ganeshotsav Mumbai
Ganpati
Bombay high court

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