MPCB Report: Ganeshotsav Noise Pollution Breached Safe Levels at 200 Pune Mandals

Pune, 9th November 2024: This year, noise levels during Ganeshotsav exceeded the maximum permissible limits at all monitored locations, as reported by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in its first-ever assessment of 200 Ganesh Mandals. Noise pollution levels ranged between 70 to 85 decibels throughout the festival, according to MPCB findings. A detailed report will be submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had previously directed authorities to monitor and control noise pollution during this year’s Ganeshotsav.

The MPCB monitored noise levels at 200 Ganesh Mandals across the city, covering both central and suburban areas, from 6 PM to midnight each day between 7th and 16th September. The findings indicate that noise pollution was prevalent citywide during the festival, although the MPCB did not record noise levels on the day of the Ganesh Visarjan procession.

The issue of rising noise pollution during Ganeshotsav was raised by Dr. Kalyani Mandke, who filed a petition with the NGT highlighting the escalating problem. The Maharashtra State Government, Pune District Collector, MPCB, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pune Police were named as respondents. In response, the NGT ordered the Pune Police and MPCB to implement measures to reduce noise pollution during the festival. Consequently, the MPCB conducted noise level assessments at 200 Ganesh Mandal sites.

The permissible noise levels for different areas are as follows:

Industrial Zone: 75 dB during the day, 70 dB at night
Commercial Zone: 65 dB during the day, 55 dB at night
Residential Zone: 55 dB during the day, 45 dB at night
Silent Zone: 50 dB during the day, 40 dB at night

Kartikeya Langote, Sub Regional Officer of the MPCB, stated that the report based on the NGT’s order to monitor noise pollution at Ganesh Mandals has been prepared and will be submitted to the NGT.