Act on noise pollution complaints: NGT

BHOPAL: National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued interim directions to police, district administration, civic body and transport authorities on Friday to start a 24X7 call centre where complaints related to noise pollution can be registered and immediately redressed.

NGT bench directed that complaints forwarded by call centre should be attended immediately by area station house officer (SHO) and confiscation of amplifiers and other noise pollutants should be done.

The case should be produced before area sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) within 24 hours of such seizure.

Police should also assist SDM in survey of religious places causing noise pollution and provide necessary infrastructure to remove noise causing instruments and gadgets.

Green tribunal also asked MP Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) to conduct checks during marriage season.

District administration and Bhopal Municipal Corporation has been asked by NGT to draw up an action plan regarding control of noise pollution in industrial areas, hospitals and near educational institutions including monitoring mechanism and surveillance system.

Besides, a ban should be implemented on use of generator sets of capacity of 5 KVA and above in residential areas between10pm to 6 am.

The tribunal has asked transport department to check and prohibit entry of heavy vehicles fitted with pressure horn and to arrange for awareness.

Mandatory challans and prosecutions of noise polluting vehicles have to be carried out by traffic police, the green panel directed.

Next hearing of the bench would be held on March 26.

To administration:

Setting up 24X7 call centre for noise pollution complaints

Monitoring, surveillance system for noise pollution control in industrial areas, hospitals and educational institutes

Ban use of generator sets 5 KVA and above in residential areas between 10 pm to 6 am

SDMs to hear cases and file prosecutions

Survey of religious places causing noise pollution

Chalk out modalities for checking vehicles fitted with pressure horn

To conduct awareness on noise pollution

To transport dept

Inclusion of status of pressure horn while issuing pollution control certificate

Issue notifications on increase of fine, ban on manufacturing, distribution, sale of pressure horn

Ban on modification of vehicular silencers

Check and prohibit the entry of heavy vehicles fitted with pressure horn

Conduct awareness programmes

To police dept

Mandatory challan and prosecutions of noise polluting vehicles

Confiscation and seizure of amplifiers and other noise pollutants

Production of case before the area SDM within 24 hours of such seizure

Support executing agencies as and when required