15 Noise Violations, Not a Single Case Registered: Cops Tell Bombay HC

Nagpur: Fifteen instances of noise levels exceeding permissible limits were detected in the city between Aug 1 and Sept 3, but no criminal case was registered, city police informed the Bombay High Court on Monday. The affidavit, filed by DCP (traffic) Aditya Mirkhelkar before the Nagpur bench, also states that no action was taken on noise-pollution complaints received during the period. The disclosures came as the HC continued hearing a public interest litigation concerning enforcement of noise-pollution regulations in the city. A division bench comprising Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Raj Wakode heard the matter, which includes a suo motu PIL taken up by the court following media reports, along with petitions filed by various organisations. Abdul Subhan is assisting the court as amicus curiae, while Ashutosh Dharmadhikari and Tushar Mandlekar appeared for the petitioners. At the previous hearing, the court had made clear that authorities could not limit action against noise-pollution violators to merely collecting fines, and directed that such violations be dealt with in accordance with law. The police affidavit states that complaints about excessive noise from loudspeakers, DJs, public programmes and processions can lead to seizure of equipment and other legal action, and that an offence can be registered in serious cases or where statutory provisions are violated. Regional police officers have been instructed to take immediate action whenever violations are detected, the affidavit said. The traffic police also reported conducting regular inspections and special drives targeting vehicles fitted with modified or unauthorised silencers. Of 249 vehicles inspected, 59 were found to have non-compliant silencers, all of which were removed or seized, while 74 challans were issued. However, the affidavit recorded no other noise-generating devices being detected, no vehicles referred for further action, and no criminal offences registered. The court also sought clarification on complaints concerning construction activity. It was informed that several construction projects were under way across the city, with some allegedly violating prescribed working hours — resulting in noise-pollution complaints being submitted to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation through its website. The police have been directed to file a response explaining what action, if any, was taken on such complaints, before the next hearing on Sept 11. Noise-pollution enforcement reported by police: Vehicles inspected: 249 Modified/non-compliant silencers: 59 Silencers removed or seized: 59 Challans issued: 74 Noise-limit violations detected: 15 Other noise-generating devices detected: Nil Vehicles referred for further action: Nil Criminal offences registered: Nil Action on noise-pollution complaints: Nil Programme venues inspected: Nil You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news. Download the TOI App.