Pune Sound System Operators Seek Uniform Festival Rules, Oppose Blanket Ban
Pune, 2nd September 2026: The Pune District Sound, Light and Generator Owners Association has urged the administration to enforce existing noise limits and court-mandated guidelines instead of imposing blanket restrictions on sound systems during festivals and public events.
At a press conference at Patrakar Bhavan in Navi Peth on Tuesday, association members said they were willing to comply with prescribed decibel limits, operating hours and other regulations. However, they sought a uniform policy applicable to festivals, processions and public events throughout the year.
Association president Ganesh Kalbhor acknowledged concerns over excessive noise during festivals, saying it could inconvenience residents, children, senior citizens and patients. He said sound-system operators were prepared to work within the limits prescribed by the courts.
“We are ready to operate sound systems within the limits prescribed by the courts. However, completely shutting down sound systems during festivals would be unfair to those whose livelihoods depend on this business,” Kalbhor said.
The association said operators were willing to accept restrictions, including limiting sound systems to four top units and four bass units, along with existing restrictions on laser lights and pressure horns. It also supported action against operators using excessively loud sound systems.
Kalbhor said the Dahi Handi and Ganesh festival period accounts for a significant share of the industry’s annual business. He claimed that operators who previously earned around ₹20-25 lakh annually were now struggling to earn even ₹25,000-50,000 because of restrictions and uncertainty surrounding regulations.
Association working president Omkar Padwal, vice-president Sagar Sutar, advisor Mohit Palesha and Republican Parivartan Panther representative Gajendra Prakash More were also present at the press conference.
More said the association could consider organising a protest along with Ganesh mandal workers in Pune if restrictions affecting the livelihood of sound-system operators continued.
Sutar said many operators had taken up sound-system work as an additional occupation and that frequent changes in regulations were resulting in financial losses.
The association also announced that its members would not play obscene songs during this year’s processions. It appealed to Ganesh mandals to engage local sound-system operators instead of sourcing equipment from outside Maharashtra, claiming that this was affecting employment opportunities for local operators.
The association clarified that it was not seeking unrestricted use of sound systems, but clear, consistent and enforceable rules that balance residents’ concerns over noise with the livelihoods of people working in the sound and event industry.
