Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar Calls for ‘Pune pattern’ for Noise-Free Ganeshotsav

Pune, 2nd September 2026: With the city gearing up for the Ganeshotsav, Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar has called upon Ganesh mandals and citizens to adopt a new approach to celebrations by avoiding high-powered sound systems and laser beams.

Kumar said equipment such as ‘Plasma’ and ‘Pressure Mead’ used with high-capacity loudspeakers during festivals causes inconvenience to citizens and can also affect their health. He said the use of ‘Pressure Mead’ and ‘Plasma Sound’ has been banned and appealed to citizens and mandals to embrace the change and create a “Pune pattern” of celebrating Ganeshotsav that could serve as an example for other cities.

“Puneties are known to follow rules. Let us celebrate a grand Ganeshotsav by taking everyone along,” Kumar said.

He was speaking at a programme organised by the Pune police and Vighnaharta Nyas at the Shivajinagar police headquarters. Awards were presented to public Ganesh mandals that won the Ideal Ganeshotsav competition, while scholarships were also distributed to meritorious students.

Kumar said an all-party meeting had recently been held ahead of Ganeshotsav, where the issue of high-powered sound systems used during various festivals was discussed. He said there was a growing demand among citizens as well as political leaders for a change in the way festivals are celebrated.

“Let us celebrate festivals in a traditional manner by taking everyone along. It is the responsibility of everyone to follow court orders. Punekars are disciplined and follow rules. High-capacity sound systems should not be used during Dahi Handi and Ganeshotsav. Let us create a ‘Pune pattern’ and set an example for society,” he said.

The commissioner said excessive noise from loudspeaker systems could have an adverse impact on health and stressed the need for everyone to adapt to the changes. “Everyone should follow the rules. The police will insist on compliance. Let us celebrate Ganeshotsav joyfully while taking everyone along,” he said.

The police will welcome Ganesh mandals that comply with the prescribed rules during the festival, Kumar said, while warning of strict action against those violating them. He said ‘Plasma Sound’ and ‘Pressure Mead’ systems were banned and any such equipment found being used would be seized immediately.

Kumar said the sound-related rules were followed during the Eid-e-Milad procession held in the city, although some participants violated the norms and their sound systems were seized. He urged Ganesh mandals to take the initiative to prevent noise pollution and said the police would act strictly within the framework of the law.

Senior police officers, including joint commissioner Sanjay Darade, additional commissioners Rajesh Bansode and Rajesh Patil, and deputy commissioners Gauhar Hasan, Krishikesh Rawale, Milind Mohite, Dr Sagar Kawade, Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakare and Dr Prashant Amrutkar, were present at the event. Trustees of the Pune Police Vighnaharta Nyas, including Dr Milind Bhoi, Uday Jagtap, Datta Devkar, Vivek Dev, Ashish Gandhi, Pravin Chorbhele, Rajabhau Kadam, Dr Shantanu Jagdale and Naveen Naidu, also attended.