Pimpri-Chinchwad police will intensify action against DJ operators and Ganesh mandals that breach prescribed sound limits during the upcoming Ganeshotsav, following cases registered against 31 mandals during Dahi Handi celebrations.
Additional Commissioner of Police Sarang Awad said organisers and DJ operators would face direct legal action if sound restrictions were violated during the festival. Police have warned that enforcement will not be limited to seizing loudspeaker equipment.
“Action has been taken within three days against 31 mandals for violating sound limits during Dahi Handi. Speakers, amplifiers, mixers and other sound equipment have been seized,” Awad said, according to Loksatta. He added that the use of high-volume DJ systems during Ganeshotsav would lead to intensified enforcement because the festival involves a larger number of mandals and widespread use of sound systems.
Police said the applicable limits vary according to the time of day and the area in which sound equipment is being used. The reported limits range from a minimum of 40 decibels to a maximum of 75 decibels, with separate standards for silence, residential, commercial and industrial areas.
Awad said violations of these limits would expose both DJ operators and office-bearers of Ganesh mandals to action. The warning places responsibility not only on the person operating the sound system but also on the organisers of the event.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rohidas Pawar said police would not close cases merely by acting against loudspeakers or other equipment. The president and organisers of a mandal, along with the concerned DJ operator and owner, could also face legal action when noise pollution rules are breached.
Pawar appealed to residents and organisers to celebrate the festival without affecting the health and peace of others. The police warning follows the recent enforcement during Dahi Handi celebrations, when equipment was seized and cases were registered against 31 mandals for alleged sound-limit violations.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad police have not announced a separate festival-wide schedule for inspections or provided details of the number of enforcement teams that will be deployed. Their stated next step is to intensify monitoring and legal action against violations during Ganeshotsav.
