Noise levels on the first day of the Mahim Fair lower as compared to the past two years

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Noise levels on the first day of the Mahim Fair lower as compared to the past two yearsNoise levels on the first day of the Mahim Fair lower as compared to the past two yearsVinamrata Borwankar| TNN | Dec 13, 2016, 09.33 PM IST
Representative image. 
MUMBAI: Noise levels on the first day of the Mahim Fair, which commended on Tuesday were lowered as compared to the past two years but remained much above permissible limits. According to noise levels recorded by NGO Awaaz Foundation, the noise levels were between 98 and 117.3 decibels (dB).

On the inaugural day of the fair, the Mahim police lead the 'sandal' procession of the Urs of Makhdoom Shah Babaat Mahim dargah. "There was noise pollution from loudspeakers and brass instruments within the premises of the Mahim police station. I made several oral complaints and finally made a written complaint. No action was taken while three separate groups of drums, loudspeakers and brass instruments continued to make noise within police station premises in a silence zone (next to a Balwadi and masjid)," said Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of the foundation. She has sent a complaint to the commissioner of police.

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, respectively. Police officials said that action would be taken against if noise rules are flouted. "We have installed our own decibel meters and also held meetings with organisers to create awareness about the same. In case our meters find a problem, we will take legal action," said Paramjit Singh Dahiya, DCP, Zone V.

Sohail Khandwani, managing trustee of Mahim Dargah said that efforts were being made to reduce noise levels. "There are about 400 sandals during the 10 days and we have held 2-3 meetings with the people to make them aware about playing loud music is against Islam and the law and we have been greatly successful. We hope that in the next few years, we should be able to totally eradicate the problem."

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