Cuttack to have noise-free Ganesh Puja

CUTTACK: Denizens of Millennium City can expect a noise-free Ganesh Puja this year. The commissionerate police has issued directions to the puja pandals to abide by laws and not make noise pollution.
"We have strictly directed the puja pandals to play loudspeakers within the permissible limit of 65 decibel. Action will be taken against violators," said S Praveen Kumar, DCP, Cuttack.
At least eight special squads of police personnel will be formed to monitor proper implementation of the order.
"The squad, equipped with decibel metres, will conduct surprise raids on various pandals and if anyone is found exceeding the specified level of sound emission, we would immediately seize their loudspeakers and collect fines from violators," said a senior official of the commissionerate police.
The official also stated that puja committees will also have to adhere to the 10pm deadline.
"We have issued permission to puja committees for organizing culture programmes and orchestra on the condition that they will not flout the regulations and close their programmes by 10 pm," said the officer.
The police organized a special meeting recently in the city to ensure smooth celebration of Ganesh puja. Over 932 puja committees celebrating Ganesh Puja with much pomp and show, were invited to the meeting and were made aware about noise-related restrictions.
Even puja committees have agreed to follow the norms.
"We have assured the police of full co-operation and will ensure that no noise pollution is created in our area," said B K Choudhary, a member of Jagatpur puja committee.
Ganesh puja is celebrated with a lot of grandeur in Cuttack every year.