Clamour against noise rises at citizens’ meet in Kalyaninagar

PUNE: Citizens harassed by high noise levels across the city met in Kalyaninagar on Wednesday to look at how they could counter the assault on their ears. They spoke about solutions like forming a pressure group, reporting high noise levels from commercial establishments time and again so that residential areas remain peaceful.

The meeting started with a presentation on noise pollution by citizens and medical professionals followed by a question and answer session.
Senior audiologist Kalyani Mandke said that noise pollution laws were made 23 years ago and since then the troubles have gone from bad to worse.
"Initially, it used to be only on festivals but these days the problem is felt throughout the year. The effects are serious in the long run to all. If we curb it now, our future generations can be saved," she said.
People came in large numbers from Wadgaonsheri, Vimannagar, Koregaon Park, Baner and other areas with a common problem __ noise pollution from resto-bars set up in residential areas creating a nuisance and robbing the sleep of citizens.
The meeting was organised by Team Swachh Kalyaninagar, the active residents’ body in Kalyaninagar and Koregaon Park Residents’ Welfare Association. They joined forces with a volunteer youth group of New Kalyaninagar residents and organised a noise pollution awareness programme called ‘Voice Against Noise’ at the Joggers’ Park library.
Denzil Mathias, a resident of Kalyaninagar annexe, said, “If I don't stand up and raise my voice now against this noise pollution from the pubs in our area, a day will come when I will be buried in this very pollution unnoticed.”
The meeting was also attended by senior police inspector of Yerawada police station Balkrushna Kadam who said that they have taken action against every call that was made to the police with respect to restaurants violating norms.
"Sometimes, residents want to get each and every problem solved by the police. They call the police to handle a dead dog in a locality. Issuing of licences to these restaurants and bars is with the civic body and the excise department and not the police. We can only take spot action if these resto bars violate rules,” he said.
A volunteer youth group of New Kalyaninagar residents have been pursuing authorities to get nightclubs and bars to reduce noise levels at night, and do something about the deafening noise from modified two-wheeler silencers.
Team Swachh Kalyaninagar had also invited officials from the state pollution board and Pune Municipal Corporation who did not turn up for the meeting.
“From 10pm to 5am, loud bass music blasts from illegal rooftop restaurants in Kalyaninagar, causing palpitations, insomnia, and hypertension due to lack of sleep. All these issues are impacting my family. I've been complaining for the past two years. When will this heinousness end? Are these individuals above the law? ” Sonam Mahadik, a Wadgaonsheri resident, wanted to know.