CM allows societies to play dandiya till midnight

Housing societies can continue dandiya celebrations till midnight during Navratri, which begins on October 16. The only rider - traditional instruments should be played and no loudspeakers can be used.

Housing societies can continue dandiya celebrations till midnight during Navratri, which begins on October 16. The only rider - traditional instruments should be played and no loudspeakers can be used.

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Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Monday told a delegation of Navratri mandals, led by Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam, that the noise norms would be relaxed for housing societies during the nine-day festival.

As per the current rules, no instruments or speakers are allowed after 10pm.

"The chief minister assured us that the existing rules would be verified, amendments would be made and the police would be instructed," Nirupam said.

The MP said they decided to approach the CM after the government allowed similar relaxation of rules during Ganeshotsav.

Environment minister Sanjay Deotale told HT that he would have to study the proposal.

"There could an issue if the societies use open space within their compound," he said.

Chavan turned down a request by mandals organising functions at public places to extend the deadline for another day.