Ganesh Visarjan: Police will take stern action against violators and noise levels will be monitored at 22 locations

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the College of Engineering, Pune’s environment department will monitor noise levels at 22 locations throughout the city.

The police have vowed to take strict action against violators during Thursday’s immersion procession because noise levels in the majority of Pune’s central areas have exceeded the allowable limit thus far during the 10-day Ganeshotsav.

Additionally, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the environment department of the College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) will monitor noise levels at 22 locations throughout the city.

Pune Police Commissioner Retesh Kumaar advised mandals to take precautions to ensure that noise levels did not exceed permitted levels during the designated time period.

“We’ve made the decision to conduct sporadic inspections and keep an eye on noise levels in the city’s center and other key areas. Strict action will be taken against violators if anyone is found to be going beyond the boundaries set forth,” he said.

Kumaar asserts that each mandal will lead two to three dhol-tasha groups in the procession, as stated by the city police.

“Dhol-tasha groups are also limited to carrying a combined total of 50 dhol and 15 taashas. Mandals that play music are permitted to carry double-layered music systems. There will only be three stops for Mandals, Kumaar said.

During the Ganesh immersion procession in the city, noise pollution is a significant concern. In addition to breaking noise pollution regulations, excessive loudspeaker use by Ganesh mandals is bad for everyone’s health, especially those who are exposed to the noise for extended periods of time.

Dhol-tasha pathaks, which were once thought of as a less harmful alternative to loudspeakers, now produce the same amount of noise as the speakers.

As the grand procession passes through this area, the central city will be the exercise’s main focus. In addition, the MPCB will record noise levels in the city’s suburban areas. The activity will be conducted by the board both during the day and at night, according to Nitin Shinde, sub-regional officer for the MPCB in Pune.

“According to last year’s observations, noise levels in nearly all of Pune’s neighborhoods were significantly above the recommended levels. The noise restrictions were broken on the first day of the Ganesh festival this year as well.

According to MPCB officials, the police department is in charge of taking enforcement action against noise pollution violations.