Noise Pollution: Activists Meet Pune CP, MPCB, Seek Strict Enforcement in Silence Zones; Cite Sept 10 NGT Order

Pune, 17th September 2026: Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar has assured strict enforcement of noise pollution regulations in designated silence zones and said the rules would be applicable throughout the year to all festivals, processions and public celebrations.

The assurance came during a meeting between representatives of the ‘Loudspeaker Virodhi Punekar Manch’ and Kumar on Thursday, following a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order dated September 10 directing a complete ban on the use of loudspeakers, musical instruments and firecrackers in silence zones.

Pune has 121 designated silence zones, covering areas around hospitals, schools, colleges and courts. The NGT order was issued while hearing an application filed by Dr Kalyani Mandke. The tribunal has also sought details of action taken in this regard.

During the meeting, Manch representative and AAP leader Mukund Kirdat sought clear signage marking the 100-metre radius of silence zones around hospitals, educational institutions and courts. He also sought display boards specifying the permissible noise limits in these areas.

The representatives said citizens often lodge complaints through the 112 emergency number, but the violations are sometimes addressed only temporarily. They urged the police to independently record cases of violations of noise pollution norms instead of relying only on citizen complaints.

Kumar assured the delegation that a list of officers responsible for handling noise pollution complaints in different police jurisdictions, along with their contact numbers, would be uploaded on the Pune police website.

The commissioner also assured that prescribed noise limits would be enforced throughout the year during Ganeshotsav, Muharram, Eid, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, Annabhau Sathe Jayanti and processions and celebrations organised by communities, political parties and groups commemorating public figures.

The Manch clarified that its opposition was to excessive noise and not to festivals. It said mandals and organisers complying with the law would be welcomed.

The delegation also sought periodic medical check-ups for police personnel deployed on procession duty to monitor the impact of prolonged exposure to high noise levels.

The representatives called for uniform enforcement of noise pollution rules across cities, citing measures in Solapur, Navi Mumbai, Ahilyanagar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Bhandara and Nagpur, and urged authorities to protect citizens from excessive noise.

They also demanded that authorities frame specific regulations governing drum-practice venues, pandal sizes, firecrackers and musical instruments. The group further sought accountability for the mental and physical harm allegedly caused to citizens by excessive noise.

The delegation later met Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) regional officer Babasaheb Kukade and sought publication of real-time and daily noise-level data on the website within 24 hours, in accordance with the NGT directions.

Kukade said the NGT order applied across Maharashtra and that noise-level measurements would be recorded at 200 locations in Pune through an agency. He said the possibility of publishing the readings on a daily basis would also be examined.

Mukund Kirdat, Dr Rahul Sawant, Chintamani Kango, Sameer Barde, Dr Simi Athawale, Ashok Mehendale, Ashish Gunjal and Umesh Khandare were among those present during the meetings.