Noise levels from dhol-tasha letter to Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister

9th September 2013

Mr Prithviraj Chavan,

Chief Minister of Maharashtra,

Mumbai.

Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prithviraj Chavan,

Subject: Measurement of dhol-tasha during practice sessions exceed maximum permissible limits; request not to allow dhol- tasha in Silence or Residential Zones and after 10pm.

Awaaz Foundation and the Association of Medical Consultants measured noise levels from dhol-tasha instruments during practice sessions, prior to the Ganpati Festival. The noise levels of a single drum measured upto 104.5 dB , a single tasha measured 105.7 dB and collective drums and tashas measured 113.7 dB (Report enclosed).The drum beats were not amplified by loudspeakers, as they usually are during the Ganpati Festival. The maximum permissible decibel level in a Residential Zone upto 10pm is 55dB and after 10pm is 45dB.  

No exceptions to decibel levels are allowed under the Noise Pollution Rules, even during the time limit extended by the State Government until midnight for 15 days a year. Section 3 (3) and Section 8(8)of the Noise Rules state:

Section 3(3) The State Government shall take measures for abatement of noise including noise emanating from vehicular movements, blowing of horns, bursting of sound emitting firecrackers, use of loudspeakers or public address system and sound producing instruments and ensure that the existing noise levels do not exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under these rules.

Section 8 (8). Power to prohibit etc. continuance of music sound or noise.

(1) If the authority is satisfied from the report of an officer in charge of a police station or other information received by him that it is necessary to do so in order to prevent annoyance, disturbance, discomfort or injury or risk of annoyance, disturbance, discomfort or injury to the public or to any person who dwell or occupy property on the vicinity, he may, by a written order issue such directions as he may consider necessary to any person for preventing, prohibiting, controlling or regulating:

(a) the incidence or continuance in or upon any premises of -

(i) any vocal or instrumental music,

(ii) sounds caused by playing, beating, clashing, blowing or use in any manner whatsoever of any instrument including loudspeakers, public address systems,  horn, construction equipment appliance or apparatus or contrivance which is capable of producing or re-producing sound, or

(iii) sound caused by bursting of sound emitting fire crackers or,

(b) the carrying on in or upon, any premises of any trade, avocation or operation or process resulting in or attended with noise.

(2) The authority empowered under sub-rule (1) may, either on its own motion, or on the application of any person aggrieved by an order made under sub-rule (1), either rescind, modify or alter any such order:

I hereby bring to your kind attention the excessive noise of dhol-tasha instruments ad per the Report below and clearly covered under Section 3(3) and 8(8).

I request that the exemption given for four days of Ganpati 2013 be strictly implemented in accordance with law and that use of dhol-tasha should be regulated under Section 3(3) and 8(8) to prevent noise pollution in any Silence or Residential Zone or after 10pm.  

This year, for the first time, affected citizens all over Mumbai will be recording noise pollution on their own using a free downloadable App called ‘Noise Watch’ developed by the European Environment Agency. The readings will be sent to a GIS map and also posted on a facebook page ‘Citizens’ Noise Map’. The data generated will give a holistic pattern of citizens’ noise exposure during Ganpati and help to monitor compliance of noise rules all over the city in an open, participatory way with direct citizens’ involvement.

Thank you and with regards

Sumaira Abdulali

Awaaz Foundation

Report on Noise levels Mumbai Dhol-tasha practice for Ganpati 2013 Pune

6th September 2013 6.30 – 7.30 pm

Place

Db(A)

Comments

River Ghats, chie Pune

104.5 dB

Single drum

105.7 dB

Single tasha

113.7 dB

Multiple dhol-tasha

Sumaira Abdulali

Awaaz Foundation

6th September 2013