In Indore, a senior civic official has urged district authorities to intensify efforts against amplified sound from places of worship and nearby structures, particularly during the ongoing school and university examination period.
The appeal underscores growing concerns about urban noise pollution, its impact on student performance and community wellbeing, and how local governance balances civic rhythms with cultural practices. According to a recent communication to the district collector, the civic leadership received repeated complaints from residents across multiple wards about high-intensity sound emanating from loudspeakers affixed to religious edifices’ minarets and towers. The official referenced these grievances in the context of board and competitive exams scheduled in the city, where uninterrupted study environments are deemed essential. Indore, one of Madhya Pradesh’s largest urban agglomerations with a rapidly expanding population and real estate footprint, routinely confronts noise challenges tied to festivities, social events and religious functions. State-level directives have previously set noise limits under the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and more recent mandates issued by the state government reinforce curbs on unauthorised amplified sound at religious and public places to safeguard public health and compliance with ambient standards.
Urban planners note that excessive sound levels have measurable impacts on cognitive performance, sleep quality and stress — factors particularly relevant for students preparing for board and university examinations. “Noise pollution isn’t just a nuisance; it can materially affect learning outcomes and quality of life in dense urban centres,” said an urban policy specialist tracking city resilience metrics. Establishing effective enforcement mechanisms for noise regulation, experts add, remains a persistent governance challenge in mid-sized Indian cities where overlapping responsibilities between municipal bodies, police, and community institutions can dilute accountability. The mayor’s request for stricter control of loudspeakers also points to broader tensions about managing public space and inclusive urban experience. Religious sites in Indore contribute to the city’s cultural fabric, but unregulated sound amplification has previously triggered friction between administrative authorities and community groups — particularly when removal operations affected dozens of sound systems to reduce noise levels below permissible thresholds.
Critics contend that noise controls must be applied evenly across all public and private sources, including DJs at weddings and commercial events, to ensure equitable enforcement and minimise perceptions of selective targeting. Households close to large event venues or places of worship often report disturbances that exceed decibel limits late into the night — a view echoed by some civil society advocates calling for comprehensive municipal noise maps and monitoring systems. Regulatory enforcement faces practical hurdles. Although state guidelines empower police and environmental agencies to check unpermitted speakers and impose penalties for violations, compliance varies by neighbourhood and event type. Municipal officials have occasionally relied on “flying squads” to conduct checks, but sustainable enforcement will require continuous investment in monitoring technology and clearer community engagement frameworks.
As Indore navigates this episode, the debate spotlights a broader imperative for Indian cities: integrating noise management into climate-resilient and people-friendly urban planning. Reducing acoustic stress benefits not only students during examinations but also enhances overall liveability — a key criterion for cities aiming for equitable, inclusive growth in India’s urban century.
