Bombay HC asks Maharashtra to step up fight against noise pollution

The Bombay High Court asked the Maharashtra government today to direct the municipal corporations to implement the recommendations of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) on noise pollution.

The Bombay High Court asked the Maharashtra government today to direct the municipal corporations to implement the recommendations of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) on noise pollution.

A division bench of justices A S Oka and M S Sonak was hearing a bunch of petitions seeking strict implementation of the Noise Pollution Rules and action against illegal pandals which mushroom during festivals.

In 2016, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had suggested to the court that there should be a statewide noise-mapping (survey of noise levels). The HC had agreed to the proposal and NEERI was assigned the task.

In June this year, NEERI submitted its report to the court with recommendations on the implementation of noise pollution rules.

The court noted today that, on July 6, the MPCB sent copies of the report to municipal commissioners across the state and sought a periodical compliance report on its implementation.

"The Urban Development Department shall issue a circular to all municipal corporations (instructing them) to act upon the MPCB's letter," the court today directed.

The court also asked NEERI to conduct further research on noise pollution and development of a noise-mapping based action-oriented management system software, and submit a fresh report in a month.

NEERI had told the court that it would carry further research on issues including the impact of honking, development of a system which will reduce the honking noise, impact of traffic noise on the health of humans and animals and noise absorption/ barrier designs.

The court adjourned the hearing to September 19.

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