Known for their big, fat and loud weddings, Delhiites will soon have to turn down the volume of their revelry.
The Delhi government is going to install sound meters at all prominent banquet halls/places to check noise pollution levels during marriage functions, processions and other celebrations.
The government will open a noise pollution cell in each revenue district, on the lines of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The cell will have a sub-divisional magistrate, a technical person, three or four civil defence volunteers and a vehicle to keep a check on all celebratory functions.
The move comes after the National Green Tribunal directed the Delhi government to come up with a plan to check noise pollution during marriage processions and celebrations. A petition was filed in July last year against noisy weddings that disturb birds and animals as well as cause distress to residents. “It is a matter of status to get as many DJs or as many bands as possible. They have no concern for the noise limits prescribed by the government. People want to show off their wealth through loud music and it goes on till late night,” said Ved Pal, who filed the petition in the NGT.
On February 22, a meeting of all District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Divisional Commissioner was held to come up with ways to bring noise levels down during functions. All these officials are notified as Noise Pollution Control Authority. As per the minutes of the meeting, all deputy commissioners will hold meetings with the managers and owners of banquets halls, community centres and tentwallahs, DJs and band owners to spread awareness on the Noise Pollution Rules, 2000. “SDMs will be empowered to issue challans (on violation of the Noise Pollution Rules) and a vehicle will be provided to each cell to take stock of the situation in their areas,” said a Delhi government official.
To set up these cells and strengthen them with manpower, funds will be earmarked to hire technicians for each district. “No one follows the rules and even officials do not know the technicalities. For this a technical person will be hired and those found violating it will be heavily penalised,” said the official.
The Noise Pollution Rules have been in place for long but people continue to violate them and even the police do not take action against them. “The decisions taken in the meeting look promising on paper, but how effectively they will be implemented remains doubtful. Even basic violations such as playing loud music after 10 p.m. goes unchecked and no action is taken,” said Mr. Ved Pal.
