Pune police have tightened the rules for Ganesh visarjan processions, limiting each mandal to two dhol-tasha groups, restricting stationary performances at major junctions to 10 minutes and ordering decibel checks along the procession routes. Sound equipment may be seized and criminal cases filed if organisers exceed the permitted limits.
The measures apply to processions moving through Laxmi Road, Kelkar Road, Tilak Road and Kumthekar Road, where police officials have discussed the arrangements with representatives of 638 Ganesh mandals, according to Loksatta – Pune. Police Commissioner Amiteshkumar has appealed to dhol-tasha groups to comply with prescribed sound limits during the visarjan ceremony.
The police will use decibel-measuring devices to record sound levels on the procession routes. The source report also said that measurements will be carried out at 120 locations. The checks are intended to support enforcement of the Supreme Court’s rules on noise pollution during the city’s immersion processions.
Under the announced arrangements, each participating mandal may include no more than two dhol-tasha groups. At prominent junctions, groups will not be allowed to perform while stationary for more than 10 minutes. The restrictions are aimed at regulating the duration and intensity of sound at points where processions pause and crowds gather.
Police have also issued separate instructions on loudspeaker systems. Organisers have been told to use such systems in a controlled manner and not to use equipment identified in the report as ‘pressure mid’ and ‘plasma sound’. The permitted arrangement includes four bass units and four top speakers.
Police teams will inspect the loudspeaker systems used by mandals at the locations where they are installed. If a system is found to have exceeded the prescribed sound limit, it may be seized on the spot. The police commissioner said criminal cases would also be registered in cases of violations.
The announcement extends the enforcement focus beyond the procession itself to the equipment used by participating mandals. It places responsibility on organisers, dhol-tasha group leaders and sound-system operators to maintain the permitted limits while moving through Pune’s central procession routes.
Police said they had maintained regular communication with mandal representatives ahead of the festival and had also held discussions with dhol-tasha group leaders. The next stage of enforcement will involve on-site inspections, decibel measurement during the processions and action against equipment and organisers found violating the rules.
