Deal with noise pollution under Swachh Bharat: Amicus curie

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 28

Appointed amicus curie or the friend of the court, senior advocate ML Sarin today told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that adequate provisions in law were there to control the noise pollution menace, but effective implementation was lacking.

In his suggestions submitted before the high court, Sarin said prevention of noise pollution was required to be made an integral part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. In all, Sarin gave more than 10 suggestions.

Among other things, Sarin called for sensitising people, both official and general public, on the issue of noise pollution. Sarin also suggested that religious institutions, marriage palaces and other noise producing institutions were also required to be sensitised regarding the adverse impact of noise pollution in the vicinity.

He also referred to the “hukamnama” issued by Sri Akal Takhat Sahib on the use of loudspeakers only within the precincts of a gurudwara. Sarin said the process of sensitising the public was required to be done through an aggressive campaign running for about four to six months.

“The press and media should also be requested to highlight the adverse effects of noise pollution,” he added.

The authorities responsible for implementing the laws were also required to be warned that it was their duty to implement the laws. In this respect, the chief secretaries, advisers and the DGPs were required to be made responsible for implementation of the law and to ensure that the supporting authorities performed their duties effectively.

As an aid to discharging their functions, the authorities were also required to be equipped with modern noise monitoring devices. Each religious institution was also required to be asked to nominate a responsible person to ensure the implementation of the law. In case of any breach, he should be held accountable. Sarin also called for setting up of a common hotline for Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

The suggestions came just about six months after the High Court took suo motu cognizance of nuisance created by loud amplified music emanating from marriage palaces and private farmhouses around Chandigarh in Punjab and Haryana. The respondents have been asked to submit their response to the suggestions.

The developments by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Krishna Murari and Justice Arun Palli came during the hearing of a suo motu or Court on its own motion case. The High Court had earlier directed the matter to be treated as public interest litigation for framing of guidelines, particularly in view of the impending wedding season.

In his note, Justice GS Sandhawalia of the High Court had asserted the Chandigarh police, only recently, expressed its helplessness on account of the fact that it had no writ or control over the amplified music emanating from the villages around the city, despite several complaints from the residents, helplessly exposed to loud music.

Request media to highlight ill-effects: sarin 

• Senior advocate ML Sarin suggested that religious institutions, marriage palaces and other noise producing institutions are required to be sensitised regarding the adverse impact of noise pollution in the vicinity 
• He also referred to the ‘hukamnama’ issued by Sri Akal Takhat Sahib on the use of loudspeakers only within the precincts of a gurudwara
• The press and the media should also be requested to highlight the adverse effects of noise pollution, he said.