Police in Panvel have instructed local police stations not to permit DJ systems during public Ganeshotsav celebrations and processions, while also asking organisers and residents to avoid laser lights because of potential risks to aircraft operations near Navi Mumbai International Airport.
The directions were issued on Friday by Rashmi Nandedkar, deputy commissioner of police for Navi Mumbai Police’s Zone 3, ahead of the festival. Police said the restrictions were intended to prevent excessive noise from affecting senior citizens, children and patients, and to ensure that laser beams do not interfere with aircraft flying near the airport.
Panvel sees the installation of around 32,000 Ganesh idols during the festival, according to the report. Within the Panvel Municipal Corporation area, 176 public Ganeshotsav mandals are active. Police said DJ systems are commonly used during idol arrival and immersion processions, prompting authorities to issue advance instructions to the police stations under Zone 3.
Police permits are issued for the use of loudspeakers during festival events. However, Nandedkar instructed the relevant police stations not to grant permission for DJs. She said organisers should celebrate the festival with traditional musical instruments instead.
“Festivals must certainly be celebrated, but others should not be inconvenienced. The use of DJs in processions should be avoided, as should the use of laser lights,” Nandedkar said, according to the report. She added that individuals or mandals that ignore the instructions and use DJs could face legal action. Police also warned that traders or suppliers involved in providing DJ systems could face action.
The separate warning on laser lights relates to Panvel’s proximity to Navi Mumbai International Airport. Police said aircraft movements in the area continue around the clock and that the airport is currently handling more than 150 flight movements a day. In February, two pilots reportedly complained that laser lights had caused difficulty while their aircraft were preparing to land.
Police said a proposal to ban the use of laser lights in the area is being processed by the state government. Until that process is completed, authorities have appealed to residents and festival organisers to avoid using laser equipment so that aircraft movements are not disrupted.
The latest instructions apply to public Ganeshotsav events and processions within the jurisdiction of Navi Mumbai Police Zone 3. Police said further legal action would be taken against those who use DJs despite the directions.
