Pimpri-Chinchwad police have warned Ganesh mandals and DJ operators that violations of prescribed sound limits during the upcoming Ganeshotsav will lead to criminal cases against organisers, office-bearers and equipment owners.
The warning follows action against 31 mandals during the recent Dahi Handi celebrations for allegedly breaching noise pollution limits. Police said the cases were filed within three days and sound equipment, including speakers, amplifiers, mixers and other devices, was seized.
Additional Commissioner of Police Sarang Awad said enforcement against DJs would be intensified during Ganeshotsav because the festival involves a larger number of mandals and widespread use of amplified sound. He said organisers would face action if noise levels exceeded the limits applicable to the relevant area and time of day.
According to Awad, permissible sound levels range from 40 to 75 decibels, with separate limits for daytime and nighttime and for silence, residential, commercial and industrial zones. The police warning covers not only the volume of sound systems but also compliance with the limits applicable to each locality.
Police said action would not be restricted to the seizure of loudspeakers. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohidas Pawar said the presidents and organisers of mandals, as well as the concerned DJ operators and owners, would also face legal proceedings when violations are recorded.
The enforcement approach follows the cases registered during Dahi Handi, when police moved against 31 mandals for alleged sound pollution violations. The seized equipment included speakers, amplifiers and mixers used in the sound systems.
Pawar appealed to festival organisers and residents to celebrate without causing harm to other people’s health or disturbing neighbourhood peace. The police have indicated that the Ganeshotsav enforcement drive will focus on both mandals and the commercial operators supplying and running DJ systems.
The latest warning places responsibility on mandal office-bearers and DJ owners before the festival. Police action during Ganeshotsav is expected to be taken where sound levels breach the limits prescribed for the location and time.
