BMC’s loudspeaker plan rings fresh noise alarm for residents

Bhopal: Less than a year after spending Rs 16 lakh on loudspeakers mounted on garbage collection vehicles, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) is now set to purchase nearly 900 more under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The list included 350 hooter machines, 350 large speakers, 50 small speakers, along with microphones, pen drives, and wiring. Officials said the equipment is meant to strengthen awareness drives. "These systems help us remind citizens about segregation and hygiene," said a senior BMC officer. But residents say the daily blaring has already become unbearable. "We don't need more hooters at odd hours during the day," said Rajesh, a resident of Sindhi Colony. BMC corporators are expected to question in the next council meet if the purchase is justified, given the earlier investment and the backlash it triggered. The debate highlights a larger dilemma, how far civic bodies should rely on loudspeakers for public messaging. As one resident summed it up, "Noise pollution is also pollution. The city needs solutions, not more speakers."