Delhi ULBs to take action against noise pollution

NEW DELHI: According to sources, the Government of NCT of Delhi has proposed empowering officers of civic bodies to take action against violators of rules regarding noise pollution, in order to effectively control and limit noise pollution in Delhi. The Department of Environment, Government of NCT of Delhi has also proposed to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that SHOs be appointed as authorities to prosecute violators of the rules.

Under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, the MCD, NDMC, and Delhi Cantonment Board do not have the authority to take legal action. They can report the infringement to the appropriate authorities. At present, the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, authorises Commissioner, Subdivisional Police Officers, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Subdivisional Magistrates and member-secretary and Chairman of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to take legal action against the violators. According to a committee established by the National Green Tribunal to oversee compliance with noise restrictions, noise pollution cannot be properly regulated and curtailed in Delhi without the active engagement of local bodies.

The committee has urged that the municipal government’s Law Department formulate a proposal to give local and civic officials more power under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules. The suggestion is currently being reviewed by the Lieutenant Governor. The committee also noted that the Delhi Police acquired 244 sound level metres and distributed them to ACPs/sub-divisions and SHOs. But, there are few cases of violations being reported through those sound level meters, since the SHOs do not have the power to prosecute, noted the panel led by Justice (Retd.) SP Garg. Local councils and SHOs have also been instructed by the Justice Garg committee to have frequent meetings with religious institution office-bearers in order to self-regulate noise emanating from loudspeakers. The panel has also instructed the Delhi government to make installation of sound limiters in sound systems compulsory. In addition, the DPCC has been tasked with developing noise pollution prevention guidelines for building and demolition sites.