After receiving flak from the Allahabad High Court over noise pollution in Uttar Pradesh, the State Government on Sunday set Jan 15 as the deadline to seek permission to install loudspeakers at public places in the State.
The Government also issued detailed directives on the use of permanently installed loudspeakers at these places.
The Allahabad High Court last month had asked the UP Government whether the loudspeakers or public address systems installed at mosques, temples, churches, gurdwaras etc. Were installed after obtaining a written permission from the authorities concerned.
Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said, “On the directions of the court regarding ensuring implementation of noise pollution control rules, a Government order giving detailed instructions has been issued”. This practically implies that sound should not go beyond the periphery of the public or private place, Kumar said. The 10-page-order requires survey of loudspeakers permanently installed and issuance of show cause notice to those using it without requisite permission.
If the permission to install loudspeakers at religious or public places is not sought before January 15, the Government would start removing it from January 20 to avoid action under noise pollution control laws. A format for applying for permission, issuance of permission and action against those who neither apply for permission nor comply with terms and conditions of permission has also been issued. It also requires DMs to categorise areas into industrial, commercial, residential and silence zones. Each area has separate maximum limits for permissible sound levels.
The loudspeakers installed in public places can not have sound level more than 10 dB above ambient noise level at the periphery of a public place and 5 dB above ambient noise level at the periphery of a private place, Kumar said.