Noise levels during Pune’s Ganeshotsav celebrations fell compared with last year, but every Ganesh mandal monitored by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) still exceeded prescribed noise limits, according to the board’s festival-period assessment reported by Loksatta.
The MPCB recorded sound levels at around 200 Ganesh mandals across Pune between 6 pm and midnight during the festival. Monitoring was also carried out at 15 important junctions in the Pune area. The assessment found that noise levels around several mandals were between 2.5% and 10.5% lower than those recorded last year on various festival days.
The sharpest year-on-year change was recorded on the day of Ganesh idol arrivals. The highest noise level this year was measured at 99.4 decibels, compared with 109 decibels last year. The MPCB also found that the peak level on the immersion day was lower than last year, even though noise levels rose substantially across Pune during the immersion processions.
The monitoring followed directions issued last year by the National Green Tribunal to the MPCB and the police to examine noise pollution during Pune’s Ganeshotsav. The agencies continued the assessment this year using monitoring locations at mandals and major traffic junctions.
The findings indicate that the overall sound environment improved in several locations, but the reduction did not bring the monitored mandals within the prescribed limits. The report said that all the mandals covered by the MPCB inspection were found to have violated the applicable noise limits.
At important locations across Pune, the MPCB recorded a 3.6% reduction in noise levels compared with last year. However, some locations recorded an increase of 5.6%, showing that the change was not uniform across the city. The assessment also noted significant increases in sound levels on the immersion day, although the levels remained below those recorded during the corresponding period last year.
The findings come after a public campaign around noise generated by DJs, drums and traditional percussion during the festival. Social activist Vidyanand Bapat had raised the issue, and Pune residents publicly supported the demand through a march. The reported decline therefore follows both official monitoring and public pressure over the management of festival sound.
The data also highlights the continuing enforcement challenge for Pune’s civic and law-enforcement authorities. A year-on-year reduction in average or peak sound levels does not by itself mean that regulations were complied with. The MPCB’s conclusion that every monitored mandal breached the limits keeps the focus on enforcement during arrival processions, festival programmes and immersion events.
The MPCB and police are expected to continue acting under the National Green Tribunal’s directions, with monitoring of festival-related noise remaining part of the authorities’ responsibilities. The next stage will depend on how the agencies use the inspection findings and respond to violations recorded during the festival.
