Police chief to reward ‘quiet’ Ganesh mandals
D Sivanandhan sends out circular announcing a reward scheme for all mandals celebrating the festival ‘peacefully’
In order to tackle noise pollution during Ganeshostav, the city police chief has decided to try the ‘carrot and stick’ approach. In a circular issued to various Ganpati mandals across the state, D Sivanandhan, Mumbai police commissioner, has announced a reward scheme for all mandals that celebrate the festive season peacefully.
The state government informed the high court of the decision on Thursday, while the court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Awaaz Foundation seeking regulation of noise levels in the city.
The state’s affidavit was filed by Anna Dani, principal secretary (appeals and security). Srihari Aney, counsel for the government, informed the court that the government plans to control noise levels during the festival. Aney said the government would be strictly implementing the 10 pm deadline for playing loudspeakers in residential areas.
However, Aney expressed helplessness at punishing all those who violate the noise levels since the entire police department was not equipped with the Noise Mapping Machines.
Mallika Iyer, advocate for the NGO, argued that the police should at least try and control processions and the use of loudspeakers during the festival.
* The state government said it would be strictly implementing the 10 pm deadline for playing loudspeakers in residential areas