Subheadline: Police warn that mandal office-bearers, organisers, DJ operators and equipment owners could face criminal action for violating prescribed sound limits.
Pimpri-Chinchwad police will intensify enforcement of DJ noise rules during the upcoming Ganeshotsav, warning festival organisers and sound-system operators that violations could lead to criminal cases and the seizure of equipment. The announcement follows action against 31 mandals during the Dahi Handi celebrations for allegedly breaching prescribed sound limits.
Additional Commissioner of Police Sarang Awad said cases had been registered against the 31 mandals within three days of the violations. Police seized speakers, amplifiers, mixers and other sound equipment used by the organisers, according to a report by Loksatta-Pune.
Awad said the police would maintain a stronger focus on Ganeshotsav because the festival involves a larger number of mandals and extensive use of DJ systems. He warned that action would not be limited to the equipment used during processions or celebrations.
Under the sound regulations cited by the police, permissible noise levels range from 40 to 75 decibels, with separate limits for daytime and nighttime use. The limits also vary according to the character of the area, including silence, residential, commercial and industrial zones.
“If the limits are violated, action will be taken against the DJ owner and the office-bearers of the Ganesh mandal,” Awad said, according to the report. The police have not indicated in the supplied report whether any additional festival-specific operating protocol will be issued before the celebrations begin.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohidas Pawar said enforcement would extend beyond the seizure of loudspeakers. The presidents and organisers of mandals, along with the concerned DJ operators and owners, could also face legal action for breaches, he said.
The warning places responsibility on both festival committees and commercial sound-system providers. Mandal office-bearers and organisers may therefore face action even when the equipment is operated by an external DJ provider, based on the police position described in the report.
Pawar appealed to residents and organisers to celebrate the festival without affecting the health and peace of others. The police announcement does not specify the number of inspections planned for Ganeshotsav or identify particular locations where enforcement will be concentrated.
The intensified action follows the cases registered during Dahi Handi and comes ahead of the larger Ganeshotsav celebrations in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Police officials have said that enforcement will be stepped up during the festival and that further violations could result in criminal proceedings against the responsible organisers and sound-system operators.
