Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar- Issuing prohibitory orders to prevent noise pollution in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, District Magistrate Ankurjit Singh said that SDMs and DSPs in the concerned sub-divisions will ensure prevention of noise pollution.
Exercising the powers vested in him under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Protection Code-2023, District Magistrate Ankurjit Singh, citing the directions of the Supreme Court and the Punjab and Haryana High Court, directed the concerned authorities to ensure strict compliance of the instructions issued to prevent noise pollution. In the orders issued, the District Magistrate said that it is necessary to stop noise pollution because loud speakers, DJs, etc. are used in marriage palaces, hotels, restaurants, etc. at very high volumes. Similarly, many professional singers participate in cultural programs and use loud speakers/DJs, etc. till late at night, due to which the surrounding residents, patients and school children have to face inconvenience and noise pollution also poses a threat to their health. Thus, the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court of India and the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding prevention of noise pollution are also violated.
The District Magistrate said that in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district, on the occasion of jalsa, rallies, protest dharna etc. organized by the leaders and office bearers of various political parties and organizations, and on the occasion of various programs, programs etc., by the managers/office bearers of any NGOs, private social, temples, mosques and gurdwaras, commercial organizations/institutions etc., loudspeakers etc. will not be used in any building, public place, open places, pandals at any time (day or night) without the written permission of the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate under the conditions mentioned in the Punjab Instrument (Control of Noise) Act, 1956. Similarly, no one will be able to use DJ, orchestra, musical instruments etc. in marriage palaces, clubs, hotels and open places etc. without written permission. As per the orders issued, after taking written permission, it will have to be verified that the sound level will not exceed 10 dB (A). Along with this, as per the instructions issued by the Honorable Punjab and Haryana High Court, the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrates will ensure that no permission is given for any loud speaker etc. 15 days before the examination days.
Despite taking permission to operate loud speakers and any other musical instruments etc. within the limits of District Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, there will be a complete ban on operating/playing any of the above sound and musical instruments etc. in any building and place from 10:00 PM to 06:00 AM. Along with this, except on cultural and religious occasions from 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM, which will not exceed 15 days in a year and the sound level will not exceed 10 dB (A). Apart from this, the sound level of privately owned sound systems and sound generating devices will not exceed 5 dB (A).
The District Magistrate said that if any complaint regarding noise pollution is submitted to the Sub-Divisional Magistrates by anyone in their sub-division, the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate will go to the spot and conduct necessary investigation regarding the complaint received in coordination with the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police and Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board. If the complaint is found to be correct, the court will remove and take possession of any sound/musical device mentioned in the complaint as per the directions issued by the court and under the said Act and will take legal action against the violator of the said Act and this order and dispose of the complaint received at its own level.
After obtaining the approval of the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate, the sound of the loudspeakers, sound/musical devices etc. at the places where these loud speakers, sound/musical devices etc. will be played by any person should be within the boundary of the program/function place, religious place and building etc., which should not exceed the sound standard (sound standard of the concerned place) prescribed in the notification dated 14.02.2000 issued by the Government of India under the "Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000".
According to the orders issued, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Environmental Engineer, Punjab Pollution Control Board and all Sub-Divisional Magistrates will ensure compliance with the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court of India regarding prevention of noise pollution, the Government of India's "Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000" and the orders of the Honorable Punjab and Haryana High Court. These orders will remain in force till July 20, 2025.