The Chandigarh administration has informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that “strict action” will be taken against violators after the noise limit was exceeded at Diljit Dosanjh’s concert on December 14. The administration has also referred to the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rules) 2000 and the Environment Protection Act 1986. Varinder Bhatia explains the punishments for alleged violations during Diljit Dosanjh’s show and what these rules entail.
As per the amendment of Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rules) 2000, Chandigarh is divided into three zones.
Commercial sector: Commercial along City Center Sector-17, City Center Sector 34-A, B, City Center Sector 43-C, D, V-2 Roads (Madhyamarg, Dakshin Marg and Vikas Marg) and V-3 Road (Himalaya Marg) Strips. Manimajra Motor Market, shopping area near Motor Market Sector-43, 48, 52, and Manimajra Bus Stand.
residential area: Areas other than areas falling under Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Leisure Valley Park. Sectors 2 to 5 and 6 (including Golf Course), 7 to 11, 15, 16, 18 to 33, 34-C and D, 35 to 42, 43-A and B, 44 to 47, and Sector 48 to Chandigarh, Manimajara City (Motor Bazar & (excluding shopping areas) within the boundaries of 56 near bus stand), and all village population of Chandigarh (Lal Dora). These areas include sub-regional shopping areas along V-4 roads in various areas.
silent zone: Sector-1 (Capital Complex with Rajendra Park and Chandigarh Club), Sector-12, Sector-14 (Punjab University), the entire area up to 100 meters from high water mark around the lake and the entire area to the north-east. North Way including Rock Garden and Lake Club. Area up to 100 meters around all hospitals, educational institutions, courts and religious places.
What is the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rules) applicable in Chandigarh?
Chandigarh Administration amended these rules vide notification dated January 19, 2005. Under the rules, as per ambient air quality standards with respect to noise, there are two time zones – Day Time (DT) and Night Time (NT) for four zones. : Industrial area (DT-75 decibel, NT-70 decibel), Commercial area (DT-65db, NT-55db), Residential area (DT-55db, NT-45db) and Silent area (DT-50db, NT-40db) . Day time is from 6 am to 10 pm and night time is from 10 pm to 6 am. A decibel is the unit in which sound is measured.
What does the law say that the administration can take action?
In an affidavit filed by the Chandigarh administration through its senior standing counsel Amit Jhanji, the union territory is likely to take action under Section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
It is stated in the Act, “1. Any person who fails to comply with or contravenes any provision of this Act or the rules or orders or directions issued thereunder shall be liable to imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years in respect of each such failure or contravention. or a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or both and if the failure or contravention continues, a further fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which such failure continues or the contravention continues on the first conviction for the failure or contravention. 2. If the failure or contravention referred to in sub-section (1) continues for more than one year from the date of conviction, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years”.
How many voices were recorded in Diljit Dosanjh’s concert?
Noise levels were monitored at three locations and the background noise level before the concert began was a maximum of 83.5 decibels and a minimum of 60.3 decibels. Noise levels from three monitored locations at different times were also mentioned in the affidavit, with one location around the concert venue recording 93.1 decibels at 8.45 am.
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