A civic organisation and residents in Kalyan have urged the police and government authorities to ensure a DJ-free and noise pollution-free Ganeshotsav in the city, calling for traditional instruments and compliance with existing restrictions on loud sound.
The campaign has been initiated by Sahyog Social Organisation, whose president Vijay Bhosale, social activist Baba Ramteke and other residents have submitted representations to local police officers and relevant government departments. Meetings on the issue were also held at the public library auditorium in Kalyan.
The organisers have appealed to authorities to implement the requests made in their representations and to encourage festival organisers to use traditional instruments instead of high-volume DJ systems and other loud equipment during processions.
Bhosale said traditional instruments such as dhol-tasha, lezim, halgi and zanj groups were once commonly seen during Ganesh processions but had become less visible. He also raised concerns over the use of loud sound systems, laser lights and processions continuing late into the night.
According to the campaigners, high-volume sound can cause particular difficulty for pregnant women, patients receiving treatment, students, older people, newborn children, people with mental health conditions and those with heart-related illnesses. They said festival organisers should consider these residents while planning celebrations and processions.
The campaign has also linked the sound pollution issue to wider complaints about living conditions in Kalyan. Ramteke said residents near the Aadharwadi dumping ground had faced foul odour and related difficulties for 15 to 20 years, and questioned the use of loud sound during festivals in an area already affected by environmental problems.
The organisers said their appeal was intended to promote a socially conscious celebration and asked the authorities to act on the representations submitted ahead of Ganeshotsav.
