Brief court on steps taken to control noise pollution: HC

Hyderabad: Asking TSPSB and govt officials to be honest in their communication, Telangana high court on Tuesday directed director general of police and Hyderabad police commissioner to brief the court within two days the steps they are taking to control noise and sound pollution at function halls in Hyderabad and all over the state. The court, while making Secunderabad Cantonment Board as a respondent to the case, issued notices to the state govt, municipal, police and pollution control officials. The case was posted to Thursday for further hearing.A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J Anil Kumar, which took up a letter written to them by an additional chief engineer (environment) from the military’s research and development wing as a PIL, wanted to know from the officials how they were implementing the noise pollution control and regulation rules, which were notified in a GO issued in 2010.The military engineer in his letter pointed out the inaction of officials in controlling unbearable noise levels from two function halls in Tadbund in Secunderabad Cantonment. He named Bantia Gardens and Imperial Gardens for violating the rights of the people residing in the vicinity. “These function halls collect lakhs of rupees towards rent for conducting marriages and other functions but show scant regard towards the noise pollution norms,” he said.The advocates representing the state and civic bodies were quick to point out to the notices issued to the two function halls and also instances of penalties of Rs 5,000 collected from them. The bench turned critical towards the state counsel and said this kind of action will not yield any result. “We want effective steps to rein in the errant halls. Tell us what you are doing to keep the noise within the prescribed levels. They are causing chaos in the area by playing loud music even after midnight. There are frequent traffic snarls due to excessive footfalls at these function halls and the students are unable to study during exam time. People have scant regard for rules,” the bench said.It further said: “Tell us whether you are helpless. Do not tell us about these ineffective and paltry penalties. They will pay them and violate the law again.” Finding fault with the state counsel for speaking about Rs 5,000 penalty as if it works as a deterrent, the bench said: “Be honest in your communication with us.”Additional advocate general Imran Khan sought time to inform about their action plan.