Kala Ghoda fest flouts noise rules, say activists

Navratri loudspeakers and neighbourhood parties are not the only source of noise pollution. This time, the three-day Kala Ghoda mini fest has also been blamed.

Navratri loudspeakers and neighbourhood parties are not the only source of noise pollution. This time, the three-day Kala Ghoda mini fest has also been blamed.

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The festival was held at Rampart Row, Fort — a designated silent zone. And if some locals are to be believed, some of its ear splitting music performances continued past the city’s 10 pm noise deadline.

Noise activist Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz Foundation told Hindustan Times: “On Sunday, a citizen called me to complain that a loud performance by musician Gary Lawyer went on after 10 pm.”

Abdulali pointed out that this flouts a court order that prohibits such events after 10 pm. The organisers denied violating the 10 pm deadline, saying the music was played under the specified decibel limit.

“The stage area falls under the silent zone, with St Andrew and Columba churches and Max Mueller Bhavan located within 100 meters,” she said. The Colaba police station confirmed giving the organisers permission to put up the loudspeakers.

The Noise Pollution (Control & Regulation) Rules, 2000, bans loudspeakers, noisy processions and crackers exceeding 55 decibels within 100 metres of religious places, educational institutes, hospitals and courts. There is also a specific Bombay High Court order of 2004, prohibiting loudspeakers at Rampart Row.

Vishwas Nangre Patil, deputy commissioner of police, Zone 1, said the police will take action if a violation is found.