Restaurants to operate 24x7 in Mumbai

3rd October 2013




Shri Prithviraj Chavan,

Chief Minister, State of Maharashtra,

Mantralaya, Mumbai.




Hon’ble Minister Shri Prithviraj Chavan,




Ref: News  items in various newspapers  that restaurants would be allowed to operate 24x7 in Mumbai.




Citizens and citizens’ groups have objected in the past to the BMC about specific restaurants which create noise pollution at night, particularly in Bandra West and Khar. These restaurants and pubs create noise both directly and indirectly, through loudspeakers used within the restaurant, through honking and shouting in the streets while their patrons depart late at night and open-air cleaning of vessels. Residents have also complained of allied issues including law and order issues when restaurants are open late.




We strongly object to a new proposed amendment to the Shops and Establishments Act, recently passed by the Maharashtra State Legislature, to allow restaurants to remain open throughout the night, apparently for the benefit of visiting tourists. 




Stakeholders including citizens’ groups were not consulted prior to this decision and the Noise Pollution Rules and allied court orders were also not considered. It is not clear how 70% of residents would offer their consent to the operation of any establishment, given that the noise from traffic spreads a considerable distance away from the establishment itself. In any event, the State is bound to protect the health of the other 30% who might be in a vulnerable condition would be impacted. Residents’ health cannot be given a lower priority than the enjoyment of tourists and this would be specially relevant in the thousands of Silence Zones of Mumbai.




Such a resolution would also actively violate directions of the Supreme Court to the State to prevent noise pollution from honking at night (between 10pm and 6am)




The Supreme Court Order dated 18th July 2005 on noise pollution directs that the State will take an active role to prevent noise pollution, including to enforce their Order stating that no horns will be used in residential areas between 10pm and 6am. It further directs the State to support citizens’ groups engaged in noise pollution control. The Order states:

III. Vehicular Noise

No horn should be allowed to be used at night (between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.) in residential areas except in exceptional circumstances.

IV. Awareness

1. There is a need for creating general awareness towards the hazardous effects of noise pollution. Suitable chapters may be added in the text-books which teach civic sense to the children and youth at the initial/early level of education. Special talks and lectures be organised in the schools to highlight the menace of noise pollution and the role of the children and younger generation in preventing it. Police and civic administration should be trained to understand the various methods to curb the problem and also the laws on the subject.

2. The State must play an active role in this process. Residents Welfare Associations, Service Clubs and Societies engaged in preventing noise pollution as a part of their projects need to be encouraged and actively involved by the local administration.




3. Special public awareness campaigns in anticipation of festivals, events and ceremonial occasions whereat firecrackers are likely to be used, need to be carried out.

The abovesaid guidelines are issued in exercise of power conferred on this Court under Articles 141 and 142 of the Constitution of India. These would remain in force until modified by this Court or superseded by an appropriate legislation.

V Generally

1. The States shall make provision for seizure and confiscation of loudspeakers, amplifiers and such other equipments as are found to be creating noise beyond the permissible limits.

2. Rule 3 of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 makes provision for specifying ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different areas/zones, categorization of the areas for the purpose of implementation of noise standards, authorizing the authorities for enforcement and achievement of laid down standards. The Central Government/State Governments shall take steps for laying down such standards and notifying the authorities where it has not already been done.

180. Though, the matters are closed in consonance with the directions as above issued in public interest, there will be liberty of seeking further directions as and when required and, in particular, in the event of any difficulty arising in implementing the directions.

‘ 

The MMRDA is in the active process of preparing the Development Control Map and Rules for Mumbai. Noise pollution is an important factor while determining placement of various infrastructure and establishments and it would be appropriate to take noise into account while permitting any change in Rules which would affect noise pollution levels in Mumbai (already the noisiest city in the world).  Therefore, any decision to allow them longer hours  for certain establishments can only be determined after a thorough planning exercise including a noise map.




It has been proved beyond any reasonable doubt that the presence of an establishment such as a restaurant or pub in a Silence or Residential Zone would lead to increased use of horns and consequent noise pollution. Citizens and citizens’ groups have actively represented against such noise pollution. I request that the decision to allow restaurants and pubs to remain open all night, which presently rests with you, should be taken in accordance with the direction of the the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. No restaurnats/pubs should be permitted to remain open all night in any Silence or Residential Zone of Mumbai. 




With regards.




Yours sincerely,




Sumaira Abdulali