Noise pollution rules of Chandigarh

The Punjab and Haryana high court, had laid many guidelines, which the UT administration is bound to follow. 

• A July, 2019, judgment by the Punjab and Haryana high court has been the basis of the law that governs controlling, regulating the noise in Chandigarh and its neighbours Punjab and Haryana.

Permissible limit of noise in Chandigarh:

• According to the Rule 3(1) of the Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000, the level of noise is determined by area and zone.
• There are four zones —
• Industrial Area,
• Residential Area,
• Commercial Area and
• Silence Zone
• In the daytime (6 am to 10 pm), the limit of noise permissible is 75dB (decibels) in Industrial Area, 65dB in Commercial Area, 55dB in Residential Area, and 50dB in Silence Zone.
• At night time (10 pm to 6 am), the noise limit permissible is 70dB in Industrial area, 55dB in Commercial Area, 45dB in Residential Area, and 40db in Silence Zone.
  
  

Other Guidelines:

• According to the UT Administration, places of worship — temples, mosques, gurdwaras — need to obtain prior permission from local authorities for use of loud speakers.
• Even then, the loudspeaker or public address system or any other noise source being used cannot exceed 10dB (A) limit above the ambient noise standards.
• For private functions also, the concerned person needs to have prior permission from the authorities.
• Hotels, clubs are permitted to play music, but with prior permission and not after 10 pm.
• For religious functions, like jagrans, permission is given to play music at a low pitch.

Recent Conflict:

• According to local residents, after the UT Administration allowed the serving of liquor till 3 am, the nightclubs, bars, pubs took it as a cue to continue playing music till shut down time.
• The rules, however, state that such establishments are not authorised to play music beyond 10pm.
• Legal action can be taken against people responsible for noise pollution under Section 61 of the Punjab Police Act, 2007.
• The violators, including the owner of the premises and person who is playing the music, face arrest for a term that may extend to six months, or a fine of Rs 10,000 or both.