Cops in the dark on noise sensitising exercise

PUNE: The state government may have assured the Bombay high court of sensitizing policemen about noise pollution rules. But the city police are yet to receive any notification in this regard.
While responding to a contempt plea against Mahim police on Wednesday for allowing loudspeakers within a silent zone, the state government had assured a bench of the Bombay HC that it will take up sensitising exercise.
However, when contacted, police officers from the city denied of receiving any notification from the state government. Joint commissioner of police (JCP) Ravindra Kadam said, “We have not received any notification till now. ”
When asked if there is a specific plan for tackling noise pollution, Kadam said the noise pollution is handled on a per-case basis. “We are cracking down on people causing noise pollution. Whenever there is a complaint against religious processions or other functions, we issue notices and seize materials causing sound pollution as required,” he said.
However, paediatrician and founder of Anti-Noise Pollution Committee Yeshwant Oke said the police need to proactively seek out locations where loudspeakers are being used inside silent zones.“Such devices are installed at various religious places, which are within the silent zones. When used, a loudspeaker causes noise levels of at least 70 to 75 decibels (dB), which is beyond the permissible limits. The police need to seize these loudspeakers,” he told TOI.